Name: Pravastatin
Published: Sep 04, 2023

Pravastatin

Out of stock

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£45.95

Save £0.00 each order

Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Next review due on September 05, 2026.

Last updated on Sep 04, 2023.

Product info

Pravastatin tablets are used to help lower your cholesterol levels.
The tablets work by reducing cholesterol production in your liver.
There are three doses available, and you can take between 10-40 mg each day.

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£45.95

Save £0.00 each order

Pravastatin: essential info
Pravastatin: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Pravastatin?

Pravastatin is a tablet to help lower your cholesterol if you’ve been diagnosed with high levels in your blood. They’re a type of statin, a group of medicines that lower your levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol. They’re also prescribed to help prevent heart and blood vessel diseases, which are commonly associated with high cholesterol.

Pravastatin is a proven treatment for high cholesterol and heart disease prevention. In clinical trials, Pravastatin has shown to reduce mortality and lower the number of major vascular events in people with occlusive vascular disease.^[1] So in simple terms, it can help you live longer and with fewer health problems.

How does Pravastatin work?

Pravastatin (also called Pravastatin sodium) is a treatment used for high cholesterol. It targets an enzyme in the liver that creates cholesterol called 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutarylcoenzyme
A. By inhibiting this enzyme, Pravastatin reduces your liver’s production of cholesterol. This lowers the level of cholesterol in your blood, which helps to prevent heart and blood vessel disease.^[1]

Cholesterol is needed for your body to perform various tasks. By lowering the level of cholesterol produced by your liver, Pravastatin also causes your body to reabsorb cholesterol that’s already present in it. This should help clear deposits of ‘bad’ cholesterol that form in your arteries.^[2]

What doses of Pravastatin are there?

Pravastatin comes in three different dosages: 10mg, 20mg and 40mg.

The dose of Pravastatin you take will depend on what you’re taking it for. If you have high cholesterol and fats in your blood, you’ll typically take 10 to 40 mg once a day. If you’re at risk of heart and blood vessel disease and are taking Pravastatin to help prevent them, the usual dose is 40 mg once per day.^[3] You should always take Pravastatin exactly as your clinician has instructed you to.

Treated trusted sources:

Adams, S.P., et al. (2020). Pravastatin for lowering lipids. Cochrane Library. vol. 7.
Feingold, K.R. (2021). Cholesterol Lowering Drugs. In: Feingold, K.R., Anwalt, B., Blackman, M.R., et al., editors. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.
EMC, (2018). PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER. Pravastatin sodium 10 mg tablets. Pravastatin sodium 20 mg tablets. Pravastatin sodium 40 mg tablets.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on September 05, 2023. Next review due on September 05, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Pravastatin

Only take Pravastatin as you’re instructed by your clinician. You’ll be advised on a low fat diet to keep to while you’re on Pravastatin. You can take Pravastatin with or without food – just swallow your tablet with a drink of water. It’s better to take your tablet in the evening.

If you have any questions on how to take Pravastatin, or you feel like your dose is too high or low, speak to your clinician. They’ll be able to give you advice on how to take Pravastatin.

How long does it take Pravastatin to work?

Pravastatin gets to work reducing your cholesterol quickly, but it can take a few weeks before your levels stabilise. After taking Pravastatin, it reaches its peak concentration in your bloodstream within one hour.^[1] It should then take around six weeks before your cholesterol stabilises.^[2]

You’ll only get the benefits for Pravastatin for as long as you take it; if you stop taking it your cholesterol levels may rise again. Pravastatin is often a life-long treatment.

What should I do if I make a mistake taking Pravastatin?

If you forget to take a dose of Pravastatin, it’s no problem – just take your next dose when it’s due. Don’t double your dose to make up for a missed one, as this can increase your risk of side effects.

If you take more Pravastatin than you’ve been told to, contact your clinician or seek medical advice as soon as you can. You may need support or treatment for any symptoms you experience.

Treated trusted sources:

Adams, S.P., et al. (2020). Pravastatin for lowering lipids. Cochrane Library. vol. 7.
EMC, (2018). PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER. Pravastatin sodium 10 mg tablets. Pravastatin sodium 20 mg tablets. Pravastatin sodium 40 mg tablets.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on September 05, 2023. Next review due on September 05, 2026.

How we source info.

FAQ: Pravastatin

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Are there any alternatives to Pravastatin?

Answer:

Yes – you have options when it comes to treatment for high cholesterol. We offer a few different ‘statin’ medications to Pravastatin, including Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin (under the brand name Crestor). These all work in similar ways, by reducing the amount of ‘bad’ cholesterol created in your liver (by targeting an enzyme responsible for synthesising it).

Comparing 40 mg Pravastatin vs 80 mg of Atorvastatin reveals that the maximum dose of Atorvastatin reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol more than the maximum dose of Pravastatin. So if your cholesterol levels are very high, Atorvastatin might be a more suitable treatment for you.^[1]

Can you get Pravastatin side effects?

Answer:

There’s a chance you can get Pravastatin side effects, although not everyone will. They’re relatively uncommon, but the most common side effects from Pravastatin include:

blurred vision or seeing double;

dizziness or headaches;

tiredness, sleep disturbances, insomnia;

indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, constipation, and wind;

itching, rashes, hives;

scalp and hair problems (like hair loss);

more frequent urination and pain when you pee;

sexual difficulties;

muscle and joint pain.

There are some more serious side effects of Pravastatin that you should be aware of, as well. If you have any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Pravastatin and contact your doctor immediately.

Persistent and unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramps. Especially if you also feel unwell or have a high temperature.

Sudden severe symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue and windpipe.

If you want more detailed information on the possible side effects of Pravastatin, take a look at the patient information leaflet.

How effective is Pravastatin?

Answer:

Pravastatin is one of the first and best understood treatments for reducing cardiovascular complications caused by high cholesterol. Studies indicate that taking 40 mg of Pravastatin daily can reduce total cholesterol by 25-34%, and consistently reduce risk of death from cardiovascular diseases by 24%.^[2]

Do I need a prescription for Pravastatin?

Answer:

Yes, you need a prescription for Pravastatin – you can’t get it over the counter. It’s not safe for everyone to take, and a clinician needs to make sure it’s the right treatment for you. They also need to monitor your treatment, to make sure your current dose is controlling your cholesterol effectively.

Tell us a little about yourself in our online consultation, and we’ll recommend the high cholesterol treatments that are safe and effective for you.

Treated trusted sources:

Doggrell, S.A., (2004). Atorvastatin versus pravastatin: intensive versus moderate lipid lowering. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 5(9). pp. 2025-2028.
Iglesias del Sol, A., Nanayakkara, P.W.B. (2008). Pravastatin: an evidence-based statin? Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 4(6). pp. 821-825.