Worst Pills, Best Pills

An expert, independent second opinion on more than 1,800 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements

pravastatin (PRAVACHOL)


DRUG AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PROFILES

A comprehensive review of the safety and effectiveness of this drug. If the drug is not a Do Not Use product, information on adverse effects, drug interactions and how to use the medication are included.
Search results below include Drug and Dietary Supplement Profiles where your selected drug is a secondary subject of discussion.

rosuvastatin (CRESTOR, EZALLOR, EZALLOR SPRINKLE)
  • We list this drug as a Do Not Use drug because it causes kidney, muscle and liver damage.
gemfibrozil (LOPID)
  • We list this drug as a Do Not Use drug because, unlike for other drugs for high cholesterol, there is no evidence that it decreases the risk of heart disease. It also causes cancer in animals.

WORST PILLS, BEST PILLS NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

Search results below include Worst Pills, Best Pills Newsletter Articles where your selected drug is a secondary subject of discussion.

New Study Supports Our “Do Not Use” Designation for Rosuvastatin
February 2023
Learn about a new study showing that patients taking rosuvastatin (CRESTOR, EZALLOR SPRINKLE) had a higher risk of proteinuria (abnormal levels of protein in the urine) and hematuria (blood in the urine) than those taking another statin, atorvastatin (LIPITOR).
Leading Generic Drug Manufacturer Indicted by Feds for Price Fixing
November 2020
In his editor’s column, Dr. Michael Carome discusses U.S. Department of Justice charges brought against generic drug maker Teva for engaging in illegal price-gouging schemes for multiple prescription drugs.
Still No Good Evidence That Nonstatin Drugs Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes
February 2016
Statins have long been a mainstay of treatment for patients with high LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and cardiovascular disease. In this article, we explain why you should avoid combining a nonstatin cholesterol-lowering dug with a statin.
Niacin Ineffective in Treating Cardiovascular Disease
August 2013
A new study casts serious doubt on the usefulness of long-popular niacin products to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease.
Muscle Injury From Use of Simvastatin (ZOCOR) with Amiodarone (CORDARONE)
November 2008
Despite the dangers of this combination--risk of severe muscle injury, rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure or death--many clinicians continue to prescribe them together and cases of life-threatening adverse reactions from continue to be reported to the FDA. Patients taking simvastatin at a dose greater than 20 milligrams a day in combination with amiodarone should let their physician know that this combination puts them at high risk of muscle injury. There are other statins that do not appear to interact with amiodarone that are discussed.
FDA and Drug Makers Should Have Warned Public Earlier About Zetia, Vytorin
March 2008
Find out why Worst Pills warned against the use of VYTORIN more than three years ago. Also, learn about new evidence showing that despite the fact that this drug lowers cholesterol, there is no evidence that it prevents heart attacks or strokes (though massive misleading advertising would have you believe otherwise).
Rosuvastatin (CRESTOR) - The Most Dangerous Cholesterol-Lowering Statin Drug
July 2005
Further evidence that Crestor causes uniquely high rates of muscle and kidney damage
A Review of Ezetimibe (ZETIA) and Ezetimibe with Simvastatin (VYTORIN) For Cholesterol Lowering
December 2004
We are concerned about any new drug but are particularly concerned about the use of ZETIA together with statins.
Protecting Profits: Amlodipine With Atorvastatin (CADUET) For High Blood Pressure And High Cholesterol
August 2004
We can think of no medical reason why you should be taking Caduet unless you are being treated satisfactorily with doses of amlodipine and atorvastatin that are available as Caduet. If you have not been tried on more effective drugs for high blood pressure such as diuretics or beta-blockers, amlodipine is a poor choice.
Do Not Use! Rosuvastatin (Crestor) - A New But More Dangerous Cholesterol Lowering 'Statin' Drug
October 2003
Rosuvastatin (CRESTOR) became the sixth cholesterol lowering "statin" drug on the U.S. There is no medical reason for you to be taking rosuvastatin when there are three safer and more effective statins, in terms of reducing cardiovascular events, on the market.
Drug Safety Withdrawals: Who is Responsible for Notifying Patients?
December 2002
The following editorial, by Health Letter Editor Dr. Sidney Wolfe, appeared in the December issue of Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. Ultimately, the cost for such notification should be borne by the pharmaceutical company making the dangerous drug. Pharmacists and/or physicians, if the latter have record access, should be reimbursed for doing the company’s work. In addition, the FDA should be given new legislative authority to impose mandatory drug recalls with an enforceable withdrawal schedule governing the level and rapidity of recall and patient notification.
New Safety Labeling Changes for Anticoagulant Warfarin (COUMADIN)
September 2002
Several new safety labeling changes have been required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the widely used anticoagulant drug warfarin (COUMADIN). These changes to the drug’s professional product labeling, or “package insert,” were made in May 2002. The article discusses the changes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC CITIZEN

Search results below include Additional Information from Public Citizen where your selected drug is a secondary subject of discussion.

Letter to FDA shows that Crestor has higher rates of rhabdomyolysis compared to other statins (HRG Publication #1729)
Crestor (rosuvastatin) has 2.8 times the rate of rhabdomyolysis of the second most toxic statin, analysis shows
Letter to FDA Renewing Call for Crestor to Be Removed From Market. Rate of Kidney Damage in Crestor Patients Is 75 Times Higher Than in Patients Taking Other Cholesterol Drugs (HRG Publication #1710)
Letter to FDA Renewing Call for Crestor to Be Removed From Market. Rate of Kidney Damage in Crestor Patients Is 75 Times Higher Than in Patients Taking Other Cholesterol Drugs (HRG Publication #1710)