Pravastatin

Pronounced PRAV-ah-stat-in

Brand names: Pravachol

Type: Statin (cholesterol-lowering) · All Heart & Blood Pressure Medicines

What Pravastatin is used for

  • High cholesterol
  • Reducing risk of heart attack and stroke

◆ Kidney note

Dose is started low when kidney function is significantly reduced.

Common side effects

  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

Important cautions

  • Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness should be reported — serious muscle injury is rare but possible
  • Usually stopped during pregnancy

How it comes

Tablets. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.

Toxicity lists: Pravastatin also appears on Medicines That Can Harm the Liver.

Related medicines — Heart & Blood Pressure Medicines

Condition guides on MedicalVideos.com

Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.