As is the case with almost all other medications pravastatin side effects too have to be carefully watched such that they do not become critical. The medication has to be taken along with the right type of diet and regular exercise or it would not give the required results.
The immediate effect of this drug is that it reduces the production of cholesterol in the body and thereby allowing the smooth pumping of the heart and the flow of blood in the system. Cholesterol is a fat like substance which can increase the risk of cardiac arrest, chest pain and other related diseases.
Can pravastatin control heart diseases?
Pravastatin is used specifically for lowering the cholesterol levels of the human body. It is administered along with strict instruction on dietary control without which it would fail to perform. The side effects of the drug can be mild to severe in patients.
- Side Effects of Pravastatin
It is generally seen that cholesterol and other fats build up along the walls of the blood vessels making it thick and difficult for the blood to effortlessly coarse through it. The heart therefore pumps harder as it is naturally made to do in order that the blood can pass through it in the required quantities. However, the heart has its own limitations and with more build up of cholesterol and fats this process becomes extremely difficult and thereby decreasing the level of oxygen supply through the blood.
With the lowering of oxygen and the increase in the cholesterol there is increasing risks of heart diseases, strokes, cardiac arrest and chest pain. In extreme circumstances the heart gives way and death of the person occurs. It is seen that when the heart doesn’t function properly then the brain too gets little oxygen supply as it is the blood which are the carriers of the much needed oxygen. Pravastatin side effects occur due to the intake of the medicine and not to any of these.
Pravastatin prevents rise in cholesterol levels
The medication is undoubtedly a great relief for patients having problems with the heart due to rise in cholesterol levels. The blood being the carriers of the life giving oxygen might otherwise find restricted movement through the thick walls of the blood vessels. It however has its critics as some have argued whether the medication is good for primary prevention of cardiac problems.
In other words, the pravastatin has been found to be quite effective in the prevention of the second time patients with heart problems. This means that those who have already suffered a cardiac arrest or stroke can benefit immensely out of it, but it might not be all that effective while treating those who have no such symptoms earlier.
There is still more research underway in this area for quite a significant percentage of the population are effected by the rise in cholesterol in the body system in particularly in the blood. Pravastatin side effects are still being researched by experts as they provide information about the functioning of the cardiac system.
The dosage is taken once a day and can be taken before or after any food intake. However, it is to left to the discretion of the doctor alone for taking more than one dose and no person should take it as a self-medicate dose. It should be taken with a full glass of water and swallowed whole. In case of any difficulty in swallowing the doctor must be contacted.
In order to ensure that the medication is effective the doctor can suggest routine examination of the patient’s blood, liver and kidney and according to the results of the tests further action could be initiated. However, provastatin by itself can sometimes fail to bring about the effective results. In most cases the doctor also suggests diet control and exercises the latter which may be a minimum for not less than half hour.
What are the Pravastatin Side Effects
In a previous post, I have talked about flagyl side effects. Unlike Flagyl, the medication has several side effects and these may be mild to severe according to the response condition of the patient. Those who are allergic to the medicine should immediately stop taking it and consult with the doctor. People with hives and those who experience difficulty in breathing or have swelling in their parts of their body should be admitted in the hospital for further check up. This swelling is usually seen in the areas in and around the face, tongue of the patient, lips or even throat.
The usual dose is seen to be 10mg to 80mg depending upon the prescription and the condition of the patient and any excess intake can lead to severe side effects. Woman who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take it as the infant then is at risk.
Sometimes, chest pain, muscular pains and general weakness with fever is experienced by patients and they must be kept under constant watch by the doctor. Apart from these some patients suffer stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine and stools and even jaundice. The mild symptoms can be anything from gastric problems, constipation to headache and diarrhea and can be easily treated upon and their list is not limited only to these. Yet they too are pravastatin side effects.
Next up, we will discuss tetanus shot side effects.
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