About pravastatin sodium
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)
Used for
- Lowers high cholesterol and triglycerides
- Reduces risk of heart attack and stroke
- Helps prevent cardiovascular events after certain heart procedures
Usual adult dose
Usually 10–40 mg once daily; dose depends on cholesterol levels and treatment goal.
Usual dose in children
For inherited high cholesterol, usually 20 mg once daily at ages 8–13; 10–40 mg once daily at ages 14–18.
Common side effects
- Muscle aches or weakness
- Headache
- Nausea or diarrhoea
- Raised liver enzymes
Important warnings
- Rarely causes serious muscle damage; risk increases with some medicines.
- Liver problems can occur; unexplained muscle pain or dark urine needs prompt assessment.
- Not suitable during active liver disease.
- May increase blood sugar slightly.
Pregnancy
Avoid during pregnancy; treatment is generally stopped when pregnancy is recognised.
Breastfeeding
Not recommended during breastfeeding because pravastatin may pass into breast milk.
Interactions
- Gemfibrozil and other fibrates increase muscle-damage risk.
- Cyclosporine can raise pravastatin levels; dose limits may apply.
- Some antibiotics, including clarithromycin, can increase side-effect risk.
- Warfarin effects may change; monitoring may be needed.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.