Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Pravastatin is an oral drug for
lowering the cholesterol in the blood that contributes to the formation of plaques in the
walls of arteries that obstruct the flow of blood, known as
arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Obstruction of the flow of blood to the heart causes
heart
attacks. Obstruction to the brain causes
strokes. Pravastatin has been shown to
reduce the occurrence of heart attacks, strokes and death caused by
arteriosclerotic vascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA
reductase inhibitors, commonly called "statins". Other statins include
simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin
(Crestor) and fluvastatin (Lescol). Statins reduce cholesterol by inhibiting an
enzyme in the liver (HMG-CoA reductase) that is necessary for the production of
cholesterol. In the blood, statins lower total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol as
well as triglycerides. LDL cholesterol is believed to be an important cause of
arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels slows
progression or reduces the size of cholesterol-containing plaques in the
arteries of the heart and brain as well as other tissues. Statins also increase
HDL ("good") cholesterol, and higher levels of HDL cholesterol are associated
with reduced arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Raising HDL cholesterol levels
may slow the progression of arteriosclerotic vascular disease.
Scientists have discovered that inflammation of the coronary arteries also
may contribute to arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Inflammation is associated
with elevated levels of a protein called C-reactive protein in the blood. This
C-reactive protein can be measured by a test, referred to as the "highly
sensitive" C-reactive protein test (Hs-CRP). Elevated levels of Hs-CRP predict
the occurrence of heart attacks, strokes, and death. In fact, Hs-CRP is a better
predictor of heart attacks, strokes, and death than cholesterol levels. Statins
reduce the levels of Hs-CRP, and it has been suggested that statins may reduce
arteriosclerotic vascular disease by reducing inflammation in addition to
lowering levels of cholesterol. Pravastatin was approved by the FDA in October
1991.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg
STORAGE: Pravastatin should be stored at room temperature, between 15-30 C
(58-86 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Pravastatin is used for treating individuals who have or are
at risk for arteriosclerotic vascular disease and its consequences, heart
attacks, and strokes. Pravastatin provides the following benefits:
Reduces total cholesterol
Reduces LDL cholesterol
Reduces triglycerides
Increases HDL cholesterol
Reduces the risk of heart attacks
Reduces the risk of death
Reduces the need to undergo procedures to open up the arteries of the heart
DOSING: The dose range of pravastatin is 10-80 mg daily. The usual starting
dose in adults is 40 mg once daily. The maximum dose is 80 mg per day. The
starting dose for patients with major liver or kidney dysfunction is 10 mg
daily. The dose for children (8-13 years old) is 20 mg daily, and the dose for
adolescents (14-18 years old) is 40 mg daily.
A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident. Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a short-lived temporary impairment of the brain caused by loss of blood supply. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle.
Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the coronary
arteries. EKG, exercise treadmill, stress echocardiography, stress thallium, and cardiac
catheterization are important tests used in the diagnosis of angina.
Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, heredity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. There are a variety of tests used to diagnose coronary artery disease. Treatment includes life-style changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
When a portion of the brain loses blood supply, through a blood clot or embolus, a transient ischemic attack (TIA, mini-stroke) may occur. If the symptoms do not resolve, a stroke most likely has occurred. Symptoms of TIA include: confusion, weakness, lethargy, and loss of function to one side of the body. Risk factors for TIA include vascular disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Treatment depends upon the severity of the TIA, and whether it resolves.
Cholesterol is the most common type of steroid in the body. The treatment of elevated cholesterol involves not only diet but also weight loss, regular exercise, and medications. By understanding your cholesterol profile you can better manage your cholesterol levels.
Heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart attacks. Women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and high triglycerides are contributors to heart disease. Some of the common symptoms of a heart attack in women include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, feeling faint or woozy, and more. Heart disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes and controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and diseases such as diabetes.
Heart attacks are the major causes of unexpected, sudden death among men and women. A heart attack is also a significant cause of heart failure. Learn the risk factors for heart attack such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other heart conditions. Lowering your risk factor, lifestyle changes, and in some cases medication are the most effective way of preventing a heart attack.
Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States. Some of the warning signs of stroke include sudden confusion, trouble seeing with one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of balance, and more. Stroke prevention and reatable risk factors for stroke include lowering high blood pressure, quit smoking, heart disease, diabetes control and prevention.
Cholesterol occurs naturally in the body. High blood cholesterol levels increase a person's risk of developing heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, TIAs, and more. In addition to medication (fibrates, statins, bile acid sequestrants, and niacin), lifestyle changes can be made to lower blood cholesterol levels
If you're like most Americans, you plan for your future. When you take a job,
you examine its benefit plan. When you buy a home, you consider its location and
condition so that your investment is safe. Today, more and more Americans are
protecting their most important asset--their health. Are you?
Stroke ranks as the third leading killer in the United
States. A stroke can be devastating to individuals and their families, robbing
them of their independence. It is the most common cause of adult disability.
Each year more than 700,000 Americans have a stroke, with about 160,000 dying
from stroke-related causes. Officials at the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are committed to reducing that burden through
biomedical research.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke, or "brain attack," occurs when blood circulation
to the brain fails. Brain cells can die from decreased blood flow and th...
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