Pravastatin Patient Tips

How it works

Pravastatin works by blocking an enzyme in the liver that makes different types of cholesterol. Pravastatin also boosts the breakdown of cholesterol. Pravastatin belongs to a group of drugs known as statins.

Upsides

• Pravastatin in conjunction with dietary measures is used to treat high cholesterol in people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease if initial dietary measures fail to lower cholesterol.
• Pravastatin is also used to lower the risk of coronary events (includes heart attack, stroke, and angina) in patients at high risk of these events - such as people with pre-existing coronary heart disease, diabetes, peripheral vessel disease, a previous history of stroke and stroke-like events or heart attack, or with multiple risk factors (such as older age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL-C, family history of heart disease).

Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

• Diarrhea, rhinitis, tiredness, headache, nausea. Pravastatin is generally well tolerated; discontinuation rates due to adverse effects have been similar to placebo (a nonactive pill).
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness - initially needs further investigation to rule out more serious muscle effects (such as rhabdomyolysis - the destruction of muscle cells). People aged older than 65, taking certain medications (for example cyclosporine, colchicine), who drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day or with kidney disease appear more at risk.
• Pravastatin, like other statins, may affect liver function, manifesting as changes in liver function tests or jaundice requiring dosage reduction or discontinuation. Liver function tests are recommended prior to starting therapy and at periodic intervals throughout therapy.
• Possibly has a protective effect against the development of diabetes. May not be suitable in those with liver or kidney disease.
• Rarely, has been associated with memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment, and confusion. These symptoms typically resolve with discontinuation.

Notes: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. For a complete list of all side effects, click here.

Bottom Line

Pravastatin is effective at lowering cholesterol; however, it may not be as effective as atorvastatin. Pravastatin may have a protective effect against the development of type 2 diabetes.

Tips

• Seek prompt medical advice if you have any acute muscle pain, tenderness or weakness that persists after discontinuing pravastatin, particularly if accompanied by sickness or fever. Also report any unexplained fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, dark urine or yellowing of the skin.
• Take once daily. Grapefruit juice has less of an effect on pravastatin compared to atorvastatin. May be taken with or without food.
• Adhere to the National Cholesterol Education program diet or a similar recommended diet while taking pravastatin.
• Regular exercise is also important as well as avoiding smoking.
• Dosage needs to be individualized but initially should start at 40mg/day and be guided by the results of cholesterol tests taken at least 4 weeks later.

Response and Effectiveness

• Peak levels are seen within one to one and a half hours following administration; however, may take one to two weeks of regular dosing before improvements in your cholesterol level are seen, and up to four weeks before the maximal cholesterol-lowering effects of pravastatin are apparent.  
• Moderate potency at reducing LDL cholesterol.