Get Informed: Pravachol
Active Ingredient(s)
Pravastatin
What does it do?
This product is primarily used to reduce cholesterol and to reduce cardiovascular risk. It works by blocking an important enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) used by the body to produce cholesterol.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 12:38 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Pravastatin
- Pravachol
- Pravastatin Sodium
- Pravacol
- Pravastan
- Lipidal
- Lipostat
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- X
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 31 Oct 1991
- Est US Patients*
- 1,466,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Pravachol or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Pravachol Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Pravachol interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Pravachol used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 9,700 patients that use Pravachol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 95% | 
|
| High Triglycerides | 22% |
|
| Other | 1% | 
|
How well does Pravachol work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 9,700 users taking Pravachol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 88%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Pravachol outweigh the bad things.
- 6%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Pravachol.
Common Side Effects of Pravachol
iGuard regularly polls our more than 9,700 users taking Pravachol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
11% of patients experience side-effects on Pravachol
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Pravachol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
Fatigue
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Diarrhea, Nausea/Vomiting, Palpitations
Global Patient Feedback for Pravachol (Pravastatin) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been taking pravastain for years. I have had no side effects on it. My Cholesterol has been ok. I also take Zetia.
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-19 19:54:02
Question/Comment:
My doc suggested pravastatin (40mg) a year before I finally agreed to take it. I was already on gemfibrozil (600mg) for my triglycerides. A year later my tri's were great but all other numbers were worse. I have been on pravastatin for almost 6 weeks. No side effects I can think of. If I have soreness it's probably from working 5-7 days a week. LOL
I'm due to get blood tests in April...after three months on the drug. So - combining the two doesn't seem to bee a negative at this point.
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-14 19:15:23
Answer/Reply:
PS to my post about pravastain: My doc called me the poster boy for genetically-passed on cholesterol problems. I'm 5'10", 155lbs, and have a pretty healthful lifestyle. It's just the way I am. Comes from my dad's side of the family. My two siblings have high numbers also.
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-14 19:28:31
Question/Comment:
I have had pain so bad I have trouble standing up. My hair is very thin. But without it I have total cholesterol of 400+
58 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-23 22:33:08
Question/Comment:
when I took it, I had minor muscle aches and pains, which seemed to go away after a month of takingi ...but It seemed that it had some effect on my libido and ability, so I weaned off it, taking natural herbals for chloresterol: Macuna prureins , avena sativa....home tested twice--160 total from a high of 227
47 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-16 10:50:53
Question/Comment:
I am 45 years old and was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and thus prescribed Pravastatin. I've notice a significant loss of scalp hair daily as well as palpitations approximately 45 minutes after taking my pill. Is anyone else having these same issues? My hair is getting so thin now.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-12 11:29:14
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Less than 1% of patients taking pravastatin reported palpitations or hair loss as a side effect of taking the drug. If your symptoms continue or worsen you should discuss them with your doctor.
Posted: 2010-01-12 23:05:21
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
96
Patient Comments about
Pravachol