Pravachol® (pravastatin) tablets: uses, dosage, and safety

What Pravastatin Is and How It Works

Pravastatin is an HMG‑CoA reductase inhibitor used to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. It is the generic for the brand Pravachol and comes as oral tablets in strengths such as 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg. Many adults start with pravastatin 20 mg or pravastatin 40 mg based on risk and LDL levels. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

As a statin, pravastatin blocks the rate‑limiting step in hepatic cholesterol synthesis. The liver upregulates LDL receptors and clears LDL from the blood. LDL typically falls within 1–2 weeks and reaches full effect by 4–6 weeks. Pravastatin can modestly reduce triglycerides and raise HDL. Compared with some statins, it has fewer CYP450 interactions. This profile makes pravastatin sodium tablets a practical choice for long‑term lipid management.

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Indications include primary hypercholesterolemia, mixed dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with established atherosclerotic disease or diabetes. It is taken once daily, with or without food. Pravastatin sodium may be preferred when drug‑interaction concerns exist, and it remains a well‑studied option among statins.

Dosage and Usage

• Usual adult starting dose: 10–20 mg once daily. For higher baseline LDL, 40 mg once daily may be used.
• Adjust dose at 4‑week intervals based on LDL response and treatment goals.
• Maximum approved dose: 80 mg once daily in select adults.
• Take at the same time each day. Evening dosing is common, but any consistent time is acceptable.
• May be taken with or without food. Swallow tablets whole with water.
• If also taking bile acid sequestrants, take pravastatin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after the sequestrant.
• Missed dose: take when remembered the same day. If near the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double.
• Limit heavy alcohol intake. Report persistent muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine.

• Store your tablets at 15–30°C (59–86°F) in a dry place.
• Keep your medicine in the original, child‑resistant container with the label.
• Protect from moisture and heat. Do not store in a bathroom or glove box.
• For travel, pack your pravastatin pills in carry‑on luggage with the prescription label.
• Avoid leaving tablets in temperatures above 30°C (86°F) for long periods.
• Do not freeze. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Pravastatin effectively lowers LDL cholesterol and supports long‑term heart and stroke risk reduction. It is taken once daily and is available in flexible strengths, including pravastatin 10 mg, pravastatin 20 mg tablets, and pravastatin 40 mg tablets. Its interaction profile is favorable compared with some alternatives, and it has extensive outcome data in secondary prevention.

Ordering generic for pravastatin can reduce your pravastatin price significantly. Many customers see 60–80% savings versus typical US prices. Bulk or multi‑month supplies can reduce the per‑month pravastatin cost, and you can set gentle reorder reminders so you never run short.

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Side Effects and Safety

• Common: headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, fatigue.
• Muscle symptoms: myalgia or cramps, usually mild and reversible.
• Laboratory changes: mild, transient increases in liver enzymes.
• Less common: rash, sleep disturbance, arthralgia.

Serious but rare risks include myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, especially at higher doses or with interacting drugs (fibrates, high‑dose niacin, or cyclosporine). Stop therapy and seek medical care for severe, unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine. Avoid use in active liver disease. Statins may slightly increase blood glucose; the cardiovascular benefits generally outweigh this small risk in “pravastatin and diabetes” discussions. Do not use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Onset Time

LDL reduction begins within 1–2 weeks of starting therapy. Maximum lipid changes are usually seen by 4–6 weeks after each dose adjustment. Triglycerides may also decline over this period, while HDL can rise modestly. Cardiovascular risk reduction accrues over months to years of continuous therapy, consistent with large outcomes trials of statins, including pravastatin.

Compare With Alternatives

Atorvastatin is a more potent, long‑acting statin that can produce larger LDL reductions at moderate doses. If high‑intensity therapy is needed, some prescribers favor atorvastatin. You can review options on Atorvastatin.

Crestor (rosuvastatin) is also considered high‑potency and has a long half‑life. It can be dosed any time of day and is useful when substantial LDL lowering is required. See Crestor® for brand details.

Fenofibrate is not a statin. It targets triglycerides and can be combined with statins in select patients with high triglycerides and low HDL. Compared with gemfibrozil, fenofibrate is generally preferred if a statin is co‑prescribed.

Combination Therapy

• Statin + ezetimibe: adds further LDL reduction when targets are not reached with statin alone.
• Statin + fenofibrate: consider for persistent high triglycerides; avoid gemfibrozil with statins due to myopathy risk.
• Statin + omega‑3 fatty acids: helpful for triglyceride lowering.
• Statin + PCSK9 inhibitor: for very high‑risk patients needing large LDL reductions.
• When combinations are used, reassess doses if muscle symptoms emerge and monitor lipids after 4–12 weeks.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults with primary hypercholesterolemia, mixed dyslipidemia, or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Pravastatin is also used for risk reduction in certain patients with diabetes or multiple risk factors. Those seeking fewer CYP3A4 interactions may prefer pravastatin sodium.

Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Avoid in active liver disease. Use caution in severe renal impairment, untreated hypothyroidism, or a history of statin intolerance. Discuss all medicines and supplements, including fibrates or high‑dose niacin, due to increased myopathy risk.

To manage pravastatin cost, consider larger supplies when appropriate. Multi‑month fills often lower the average monthly price. You can also compare strengths; pravastatin 40 mg may deliver better LDL lowering than 20 mg at a similar per‑tablet price. Set reorder reminders so your therapy remains continuous.

If you need the brand name for pravastatin, it is Pravachol. The pravastatin sodium brand name may vary by market, and generic pravastatin tablets provide the same active ingredient and strength as the brand.

Authoritative Sources

Pravachol (pravastatin sodium) US Prescribing Information

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Pravastatin Listings

DailyMed: Pravastatin Sodium Tablets (multiple listings)

Order Pravastatin from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold‑chain handling.

This page is for education only and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional.