Details

Pravastatin belongs to a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." It reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). Pravastatin is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood. Pravastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. Pravastatin is used in adults and children who are at least 8 years old. To make sure you can safely take pravastatin, tell your doctor if you have history of liver disease history of kidney disease diabetes a thyroid disorder or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily. In rare cases, pravastatin can cause a condition which results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure.

Typical Uses

Pravastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Side Effects

Common pravastatin side effects may include unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness confusion, memory problems fever, unusual tiredness, and dark coloured urine chest pain increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odour, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss) swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all or nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drug Interactions

• Pravastatin+clofibrate- Using clofibrate together with pravastatin can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Pravastatin+fenofibrate- Using fenofibrate together with pravastatin can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.
• Pravastatin+leflunomide- Leflunomide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as pravastatin may increase that risk. Because leflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.
• Pravastatin+mipomersen- Mipomersen may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as pravastatin may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol to no more than one drink per day while being treated with these medications.

Mechanism of action

Pravastatin belongs to a class of medicines called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It inhibits an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase that is required for the production of cholesterol in the body and thereby reduces the amount of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins-LDL) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins-HDL) in the blood.

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