warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis: Risk factors include age 65 years or greater, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, concomitant use with certain other drugs, and higher pravastatin dosage. Discontinue pravastatin if markedly elevated CK levels occur or myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. Temporarily discontinue pravastatin in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis. Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing pravastatin dosage. Instruct patients to promptly report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. ( 5.1 , 7.1 , 8.5 , 8.6 ) Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy (IMNM): Rare reports of IMNM, an autoimmune myopathy, have been reported. Discontinue pravastatin if IMNM is suspected ( 5.2 ). Hepatic Dysfunction: Increases in serum transaminases have occurred, some persistent. Rare reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure have occurred. Consider testing liver enzymes before initiating therapy and as clinically indicated thereafter. If serious hepatic injury with clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice occurs, promptly discontinue (5 .3 ). 5.1 Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis Pravastatin may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Acute kidney injury secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred as a result of rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins, including pravastatin. Myopathy, defined as muscle aching or muscle weakness in conjunction with increases in creatine phosphokinase (CK) to greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), occurred <0.1% in pravastatin-treated patients in clinical trials. Risk Factors for Myopathy Risk factors for myopathy include age 65 years or greater, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, concomitant use with certain other drugs (including other lipid-lowering therapies), and higher pravastatin dosage [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Steps to Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis Pravastatin is not recommended in patients taking gemfibrozil [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . There are pravastatin dosage restrictions for patients taking cyclosporin and select macrolide antibiotics [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . The following drugs when used concomitantly with pravastatin may also increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis: niacin, fibrates, and colchicine [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . Discontinue pravastatin if markedly elevated CK levels occur or myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. Muscle symptoms and CK increases may resolve if pravastatin is discontinued. Temporarily discontinue pravastatin in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis, e.g., sepsis; shock; severe hypovolemia; major surgery; trauma; severe metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders; or uncontrolled epilepsy. Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the pravastatin dosage. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. 5.2 Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy There have been rare reports of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune myopathy, associated with statin use, including reports of recurrence when the same or a different statin was administered. IMNM is characterized by proximal muscle weakness and elevated serum creatine kinase that persist despite discontinuation of statin treatment; positive anti-HMG CoA reductase antibody; muscle biopsy showing necrotizing myopathy; and improvement with immunosuppressive agents. Additional neuromuscular and serologic testing may be necessary. Treatment with immunosuppressive agents may be required. Discontinue pravastatin if IMNM is suspected. 5.3 Hepatic Dysfunction Increases in serum transaminases have been reported with use of pravastatin [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . In most cases, these changes appeared soon after initiation, were transient, were not accompanied by symptoms, and resolved or improved on continued therapy or after a brief interruption in therapy. Persistent increases to more than three times the ULN in serum transaminases have occurred in approximately 1% of patients receiving either pravastatin or placebo in clinical studies. Marked persistent increases of hepatic transaminases have also occurred with pravastatin. There have been rare postmarketing reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure in patients taking statins, including pravastatin. Patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease may be at increased risk for hepatic injury. Consider liver enzyme testing before pravastatin initiation and when clinically indicated thereafter. Pravastatin is contraindicated in patients with acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis [see Contraindications (4) ] . If serious hepatic injury with clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice occurs, promptly discontinue pravastatin. 5.4 Increases in HbA1c and Fasting Serum Glucose Levels Increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with statins, including pravastatin. Optimize lifestyle measures, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and making healthy food choices.