Pravastatin

Pravastatin

Pravastatin is a generic prescription medication. It’s FDA-approved for use with a healthy diet to help:

• prevent cardiovascular disease* in adults.
• reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in adults.
• lower cholesterol caused by a genetic condition called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in children ages 8 years and older.

It is classified as a statin. Statins are a drug class used to treat high cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart problems. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

It was developed by Sankyo Co. It was marketed as a generic brand and has been the most prescribed medication in the U.S. in 2017 because it is safe to use and has only rare side effects. Pravachol is the brand name for Pravastatin. If you have a family history of heart disease or a long-term condition of type 1 and 2 diabetes, Pravastatin could be a household name because doctors would often prescribe this medication.

How to take it

• Timing: Take pravastatin once a day. It is best taken in the evening but its alright to take it anytime of the day that suits you, at around the same time each day. You can take pravastatin with or without food.
• Limit drinking large amounts of alcohol while you are taking it.Heavy drinking can increase your risk of side effects such as problems with your liver.
• Missed dose: If you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. But, if it is nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take double the dose.
• Keep taking pravastatin regularly. To reduce your cholesterol effectively, you must keep taking it every day. Treatment with pravastatin is usually long term.