Provachol Side Effects
Provachol or Pravachol is a prescription medication used to lower cholesterol levels. Despite its effectiveness, Pravachol poses a risk for side effects in some patients.
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Significance
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According to clinical trials published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, approximately 1.7 percent of patients discontinue Pravachol usage due to its side effects.
Types of Common Side Effects
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Common side effects of Pravachol include generalized body pains, an increased incidence of the common cold, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, chest pain, skin rashes, nasal congestion, flatulence, fatigue and dizziness.
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Risks
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In some patients, Pravachol elevates liver enzyme levels, leading to inflammation of the liver and possible liver failure. Another possible risk of Pravachol is rhabdomyolysis, a condition that causes the breakdown of your muscle fibers, damaging your kidneys.
Warning
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Some patients develop life-threatening allergic reactions to Pravachol. Risks of hypersensitivity or allergic reactions include hives, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, swelling of your face or extremities, anaphylactic shock and potentially fatal skin conditions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
Considerations
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Because Pravachol poses a risk for abnormal fetal development, doctors rarely prescribe the drug for pregnant women. If you have a history of alcohol abuse, disease of your liver or kidneys, seizures, diabetes or low pressure, you are at an increased risk of developing rhabdomyolysis.
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