Pravastatin

Pravastatin sodium belongs to a group of medicines known as statins. These are a class of drugs that are often prescribed to people with high cholesterol.

Pravastatin works by reducing the amount of cholesterol that is made in the liver. It also lowers bad cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood) and helps increase good cholesterol levels. This reduces the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Pravastatin is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). You can purchase it online from euroClinix if your GP has prescribed it previously. Complete an online consultation, and one of our registered doctors will check if this medicine is suitable for you.

Statins work by lowering the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is often classified as "good" or "bad".

Pravastatin works by blocking an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme plays an important role in producing cholesterol. By blocking this enzyme:

1. Less cholesterol is made in the liver.
2. It increases the uptake of LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, which lowers overall LDL levels.
3. The levels of other types of fats (triglycerides) in your body are reduced.
4. It may also slightly increase the HDL cholesterol levels.

By lowering LDL and triglycerides and increasing HDL, Pravastatin reduces the risk of heart problems, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Many people who have high cholesterol can benefit from taking Pravastatin. Some advantages are listed below:

Reduced risk of heart problems

By reducing the buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels, there are fewer blockages, which can lower the risk of stroke.

Stabilises plaques

Statins also stabilise plaques and make existing plaques less likely to rupture, which prevents heart attacks.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Statins can help reduce inflammation in the arteries, which plays a key role in heart disease.

Easy dosing

Pravastatin is usually taken once a day, often at bedtime. This makes it easy to fit into a daily routine and avoids the hassle of juggling multiple daily doses.

Well-studied

Statins have been trusted by doctors for many years and are well-studied, with strong evidence showing it helps manage cholesterol. Therefore, those struggling with high cholesterol can trust that Pravastatin will help manage the condition.

Pravastatin has proven to effectively reduce high cholesterol in clinical trials.

In a double-blind study, 306 participants on cholesterol-lowering diets were randomly given either a placebo or Pravastatin. They received doses of 5mg, 10mg, or 20mg twice a day for 12 weeks.

Pravastatin showed a dose-related response in lowering cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels reduced after 1 week of treatment. The maximum effects happened at 4 weeks and lasted throughout.

At the end of the 12-week period, the results were as follows:

Pravastatin clinical trial results

12-week efficacy data

Treatment Group	LDL Reduction
Placebo	Minimal or none
Pravastatin 5mg	17.5%
Pravastatin 10mg	22.9%
Pravastatin 20mg	30.8%

Additional Outcomes

Total Cholesterol

12.9% to 23.3%

Dose-dependent reduction

Triglycerides

Up to 15.4%

Significant reduction

HDL Cholesterol

Approximately 7%

Beneficial increase

Patients taking Pravastatin also experienced the following changes:

• Total cholesterol reduction ranged from 12.9% to 23.3% across increasing doses
• Triglycerides decreased by up to 15.4%
• HDL cholesterol increased by approximately 7%

Pravastatin is suitable for most adults with high cholesterol. However, you must have been previously prescribed this medicine in order to purchase it from euroClinix.

Who can take this medicine?

Pravastatin is usually prescribed for adults who:

• have high LDL or total cholesterol levels
• are at risk of heart disease, such as a heart attack or stroke
• have had a heart attack or stroke before and need to manage cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of this recurring

Who cannot take this medicine?

Do not take Pravastatin if you:

• are allergic to Pravastatin or any of the other ingredients in this medicine
• are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a liver disease or high levels of liver enzymes in the blood

Speak with your doctor before taking this medicine if you:

• have kidney disease
• have an underactive thyroid
• have alcohol problems
• have muscle disorders caused by a hereditary disease or medicines (e.g. statins, or fibrates)
• are over the age of 70
• are lactose intolerant
• have diabetes or are at high risk of developing diabetes
• have had myasthenia (muscle weakness)
• have severe respiratory failure

Dosage

Pravastatin is available as 10mg, 20mg and 40mg strength tablets.

To treat high levels of cholesterol and fats in the blood, the usual dose is 10mg to 40mg once a day. Whereas, to prevent heart and blood vessel diseases, the usual dose is 40mg once daily. The maximum daily dose of Pravastatin is 40mg once daily.

If you have kidney or severe liver disease, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Pravastatin to you. Your doctor will decide which dose is suitable for you.

How and when to take it

To take Pravastatin correctly, follow the instructions below:

1. Take one tablet once daily, preferably in the evening.
2. The tablets can be taken with or without food.
3. Swallow the tablets whole, with half a glass of water.

How long do I take it for?

Your doctor will decide how long you will need treatment with this medicine. It should be taken regularly and may be continued lifelong. You will also need to have regular blood tests to monitor your cholesterol levels while on this medicine. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Taking too much of this medicine can lead to adverse effects.

This treatment usually starts to work within a week. The full effect happens within four weeks of taking the medicine. Your doctor may check your cholesterol levels and adjust your dose accordingly.

Even if you don't notice any physical changes, your cholesterol-lowering treatment is actively working to protect your heart and arteries. It’s important to continue taking your medication even if you don’t feel any different.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

It’s important to make certain lifestyle changes alongside taking this medicine to manage your cholesterol.

Eat a heart healthy diet

Before starting treatment, you should be on a lipid-lowering diet, which will be continued during treatment with Pravastatin. A heart healthy diet involves eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and nuts. You should also limit or avoid red and processed meats, and foods and beverages high in salt and sugar.

Be physically active

Being inactive can lower your good cholesterol. Being active can help your body move the bad cholesterol to your liver, where it can be removed. Try to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Some activities include brisk walking, swimming, or riding a bike.

Regular monitoring

You will have routine blood tests to check your cholesterol levels and liver function. These tests help ensure the medication is doing its job.

Sleep and stress

Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. Chronic stress can affect your cholesterol levels, so manage stress with yoga or meditation.

Suncare

Rarely, this medicine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, a hat and cover up when going outdoors.

To manage high cholesterol, try to limit saturated, trans fats and simple sugars. This means reducing your intake of red meat, refined carbs, and dairy products made with whole milk. Instead, choose skim milk, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fatty fish, whole grains and high fibre foods.

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

Like all prescription medications, statins can cause side effects in some people. These side effects usually resolve by themselves as your body gets used to the treatment. However, if you experience side effects that continue or worsen, consult a doctor immediately.

Uncommon side effects

Rare or very rare side effects

Other potential side effects

Serious side effects

This is not a complete list of adverse effects. For the full list, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

How can I manage the side effects?

Some side effects of this medicine can be managed at home. Find helpful tips on how to manage these below:

Dizziness

Stand up slowly from a sitting or lying down position. Make sure to stay hydrated as low fluid levels can worsen dizziness.

Tiredness

Make sure to take your tablet in the evening if you feel tired during the day. Get at least 8 hours of sleep.

Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting

Take Pravastatin with food to reduce stomach upset. Avoid rich, spicy, or greasy meals as these can worsen symptoms.
Drinking ginger or peppermint tea may help ease nausea.

Wind

Eat smaller meals and avoid fizzy drinks and foods that may cause gas (e.g. beans, cabbage, onions).

It’s important to tell your doctor if you take any other medicines, supplements, or natural health products, as there may be drug interactions.

Taking Pravastatin with any of the following medicines can increase the risk of muscle problems:

• other cholesterol lowering medicines, such as:
  • fibrates (e.g. gemfibrozil, fenofibrate)
  • nicotinic acid
• ciclosporin (which suppresses the immune system)
• antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin)
• colchicine (for gout)
• rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)
• lenalidomide (used to treat multiple myeloma)
• vitamin K antagonists (e.g. warfarin)

If you also take resin-type medicines to lower the level of fat in the blood (e.g. colestyramine or colestipol), Pravastatin should be taken at least one hour before or four hours after you have taken the resin. Resin medications can affect the absorption of Pravastatin if taken too close together.

Inform your doctor if you are taking or have taken fusidic acid orally or by injection in the last 7 days. Taking fusidic acid and Pravastatin together can lead to serious muscle problems such as muscle weakness, tenderness or pain. You may need to stop taking Pravastatin for a while. Your doctor will let you know when it is safe to start again.

For a complete list of medicine interactions, consult the BNF interaction checker.

For more information, refer to the safety information table below:

Safety Tips

Pregnancy Avoid

Do not take Pravastatin during pregnancy as it may harm the baby. If you become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

Breastfeeding Avoid

Do not take this medicine if you are currently breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk.

Alcohol Caution

You should limit your alcohol intake while taking this medicine. Both alcohol and statins can affect the liver, potentially increasing the risk of liver problems.

Smoking Avoid

Smoking and vaping can lower your good cholesterol levels. If you stop smoking, you can lower your triglyceride levels and increase your HDL cholesterol. You can also reduce the damage to your arteries.

Driving Caution

This medicine shouldn’t affect your ability to drive or use machines. Some people may have side effects like dizziness or blurred vision. Be careful until you know how it affects you.

How to store

Store this medicine in its original packaging to protect it from moisture. Store at room temperature and keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the package. Throw away any expired or unused medication by taking it to your local pharmacy. Do not dispose of medicine in your household waste or flush them down the toilet, as this may harm the environment.

No, you will need a prescription to buy Pravastatin. You can purchase this medicine safely from euroClinix after filling in a free online medical consultation. This is to make sure that the medication will not have any negative effects and that it is safe and effective for you.

To buy Pravastatin tablets online from euroClinix, follow these simple steps:

• Complete a quick online consultation to check your eligibility.
• UK-registered doctors review your responses to ensure the medication is right for you.
• Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued.
• Enjoy free delivery from our licensed pharmacy with tracking details.

Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with UK’s medical standards to keep your information confidential.

Start your online consultation today to enjoy professional care from the comfort of your home.

euroClinix is trusted by thousands of users in the UK for its safe and convenient service. Here’s why:

• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, quick approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery add to the convenience.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust euroClinix for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Pravastatin at euroClinix includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

If this medicine is not suitable for you, we have other options available to treat high cholesterol. You can find these alternatives in the table below:

Talk to your doctor about which of these options best suits your needs.