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Pravastatin
Pravastatin ( Pravachol®) is a prescription medication used for treating a number of conditions related to heart disease.
These uses include but are not limited to:
It has also been approved for use in children ages 8 to 18 years old with a certain genetic condition that causes high cholesterol.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with pravastatin. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug well. If side effects occur, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. If side effects do occur, most people do not need to stop taking the medicine.
The most common pravastatin side effects include:
Rare side effects include but are not limited to:
Keep in mind that if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if they are accompanied by a fever or you feel ill, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately. This could be a sign of a serious, life-threatening muscle problem.
(Click Pravastatin Side Effects to learn more, including additional side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Prior to taking pravastatin, you should tell your healthcare provider if you have:
- Liver disease or liver failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- A history of heart attack or stroke
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Let your healthcare provider know if you:
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Pravastatin is part of a class of drugs called statins. It works by blocking a particular enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol. Pravastatin also:
In research studies, people taking pravastatin 20 mg were able to, on average, decrease LDL cholesterol by 32 percent, total cholesterol by 24 percent, and triglycerides by 11 percent. HDL increased by 2 percent. The effects of pravastatin on cholesterol and triglyceride levels were generally greater with higher doses.
When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take pravastatin include the following:
- This medication is available in tablet form and is taken by mouth once daily. Unlike some other statins, pravastatin can be taken at any time during the day.
- To maintain even levels of pravastatin in your blood, make sure to take it at the same time each day.
- Pravastatin can be taken with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with a little food.
- For the medication to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed, Pravastatin will not work if you stop taking it.
Dietary Instructions
The dose of pravastatin your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Drug Interactions With Pravastatin
Alternatives to the Medication
Because pravastatin can lower LDL cholesterol (along with lowering total cholesterol and increasing HDL), people can lower their risk for developing problems related to high cholesterol by taking it.
For most people, pravastatin is quite effective in lowering cholesterol. It is also generally well tolerated. However, side effects can occur, and people may wish to consider a substitute. These substitutes could include other statins or other cholesterol medicines.
What If I Take an Overdose?
If you happen to overdose on pravastatin, seek immediate medical attention. It is not known what exactly to expect from an overdose (see Pravachol Overdose for more information).
Storage Methods for Pravastatin
Pravastatin should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your pravastatin as scheduled, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the one you forgot and take your next dose instead. Do not take a double dose.
Brand-name pravastatin (sold as Pravachol) is made by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Generic pravastatin is sold by various manufacturers.
Pravastatin tablets are available in several strengths. These include:
- Pravastatin 10 mg
- Pravastatin 20 mg
- Pravastatin 40 mg
- Pravastatin 80 mg.
Pravastatin is currently available in generic form (see Generic Pravastatin for more information).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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