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Pravastatin
Pravastatin is licensed to treat high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Use of this drug can also help prevent heart disease and other heart-related problems. As a statin, it works by blocking a particular enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This prescription drug has been approved for use in both adults and children ages 8 to 18 for the treatment of high cholesterol.
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:
- Treatment of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia).
- Treatment of high triglycerides in the blood. Triglycerides are the main storage form of fat in the body.
- Prevention of heart disease and heart-related problems.
It has also been approved for use in children ages 8 to 18 years old with a certain genetic condition that causes high cholesterol.
(Click What Is Pravastatin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
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:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Common cold
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Unexplained rash
- Constipation
- Muscle or joint pain (see Pravachol and Muscle Pain or Pravachol and Joint Pain).
Rare side effects include but are not limited to:
- Muscle aches/weakness (see Pravachol and Muscle Aches)
- Memory loss (see Pravachol and Memory Loss)
- Increased liver enzymes (see Pravachol and Liver Problems).
Weight gain and depression are not known side effects of pravastatin (see Pravachol and Weight Gain and Pravachol and Depression).
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.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD