Pravastatin

Pravastatin is a prescription medication that lowers cholesterol levels in your blood. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which are among the most widely prescribed medications for heart health. Doctors prescribe pravastatin to reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

This medication works by blocking an enzyme your liver needs to make cholesterol. By reducing cholesterol production, pravastatin helps lower the bad cholesterol in your bloodstream. It also slightly raises your good cholesterol, which helps protect your heart.

Pravastatin is typically taken once daily, usually at bedtime. It works best when combined with a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise. Your doctor will order blood tests regularly to check how well the medication is working.

• Lowering high cholesterol levels in adults and children over age 8
• Reducing LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol
• Preventing heart attack and stroke in people with heart disease
• Slowing the progression of coronary artery disease
• Reducing the need for heart procedures like bypass surgery or angioplasty
• Lowering cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes or high blood pressure

Pravastatin blocks an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase in your liver. This enzyme is responsible for producing cholesterol in your body. When pravastatin blocks this enzyme, your liver makes less cholesterol. In response, your liver pulls more cholesterol from your blood to use for essential functions.

This process lowers the amount of LDL cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream. Lower LDL levels mean less cholesterol builds up in your arteries. Over time, this reduces your risk of blockages that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Pravastatin may also have mild anti-inflammatory effects that benefit your blood vessels.

Pravastatin typically comes in tablets of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. Most adults start with 40 mg taken once daily. Your doctor may adjust your dose based on your cholesterol levels and how you respond to treatment. The usual dosage range is 10 mg to 80 mg per day. Children age 8 and older typically start with lower doses of 20 mg daily. Your doctor will determine the right dose for your specific situation.

• Muscle aches or pain
• Headache
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dizziness
• Cold symptoms like runny nose or sneezing
• Mild skin rash

Serious side effects are rare but require immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor right away if you experience severe muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness. Dark-colored urine or yellowing of your skin or eyes can signal liver problems. Unexplained fatigue, fever, or confusion should also be reported immediately.

• Other cholesterol medications like gemfibrozil or fenofibrate, which increase muscle damage risk
• Blood thinners like warfarin, as pravastatin may affect clotting times
• Certain antibiotics including clarithromycin and erythromycin
• Antifungal medications like itraconazole and ketoconazole
• HIV protease inhibitors and other antiviral drugs
• Cyclosporine and other immunosuppressants
• Large amounts of alcohol, which can increase liver damage risk
• Grapefruit juice, though pravastatin has less interaction than other statins

Your doctor will order blood tests to check your cholesterol levels regularly while you take pravastatin. These tests typically measure LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Most doctors check these levels before starting treatment, then again after 4 to 12 weeks. After that, you may need testing every 3 to 6 months. Your doctor may also order liver function tests, especially when you first start taking pravastatin. Some doctors check creatine kinase levels if you have muscle symptoms, as this can indicate muscle damage. Rite Aid offers blood testing services that measure over 200 biomarkers, including cholesterol panels, to help you and your doctor track your progress.