Pravastatin (By mouth)

prav-a-STAT-in

Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. May reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and related health conditions. This medicine is a statin.

Drug classes

Antihyperlipidemic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Pravastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (fat) in the blood. This medicine may help prevent or slow down medical problems, like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), that are caused by fats clogging the blood vessels. It may also be used to prevent certain types of heart and blood vessel problems in patients with risk factors for heart problems.

Pravastatin belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, so this reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Take this medicine in the evening or at bedtime, unless your doctor tells you differently.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines and foods can affect how pravastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are taking boceprevir, cimetidine, clarithromycin, colchicine, cyclosporine, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, niacin (vitamin B3), or spironolactone.

Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicine to lower your cholesterol level, such as cholestyramine, colestipol, gemfibrozil, or fenofibrate. You may need to take the medicine 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take pravastatin.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to pravastatin, you have active liver disease, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, epilepsy, muscle pain or weakness, thyroid problems, or a history of liver disease. Tell your doctor if you usually have more than 2 drinks of alcohol per day.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

Dark urine or pale stools, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach, yellow skin or eyes

Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

Unusual tiredness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Pravachol

There may be other brand names for this medicine.