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:
- 2009-Nov-21 1:50 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Pravastatin
- Pravachol
- Pravacol
- Pravastatin Sodium
- Pravastan
- Lipidal
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*
- 1,499,000
- 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.org is currently tracking more than 8,800 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 | 92% | 
|
| High Triglycerides | 11% |
|
| Other | 8% |
|
How well does Pravachol work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 8,800 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)
- 78%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Pravachol outweigh the bad things.
- 14%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Pravachol.
Common Side Effects of Pravachol
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 8,800 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.
23% of patients experience side-effects on Pravachol
3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Pravachol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Muscle Pain/Stiffness
-
Diarrhea
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Anxiety, Cough, Fatigue, Hair Loss, Headache, Palpitations, Sexual Problems, Weakness, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Pravachol (Pravastatin) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I had a heart attack Feb. 06 of this year. I have been taking 80mg of pravastatin a day since the heart attack, had no hair loss and no more pain than before taking it. 63 year old woman.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-19 16:15:03
Question/Comment:
I recently was given an increase to my Pravastatin from 40mg. to 80mg. Since then I have had sluggish digestive tract,a scence of pressure in my chest, and some uneasyness. Anyone had these problems?
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-19 12:58:26
Question/Comment:
61 yo male,reg exercise,heart-healthy diet, weight change only +/- 5-8 lb in last 10-15 yrs. I am now in the "statin allergic" club. I tried lipitor,vytorin,zocor and now pravachol. I've had muscle cramps,light-headedness,dizziness,lack of concentration. Pravachol caused the worst-chest pains,muskulo-skeletal I think they're called. I am back to red yeast rice,CoQ10, fish oil,81mg asp. BTW-last cholesterol reading was 185 and is usually around 200 but I have had 2 blockages in LAD.
61 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-08 05:36:57
Question/Comment:
I am a 59 year old women and have been taking Pravastatin for almost 3 months. I have been losing hair very rapidly and am seriously thinking I better stop taking this before I am bald? There must be another statin that does not cause hair loss?
59 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-19 10:14:12
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Less than 1% of iGuard members taking pravastatin have reported hair loss. iGuard patients taking other statin medications Zocor and Lipitor also reported hair loss as a side effect, similar to the rate of the pravastatin. You may wish to talk to your doctor about this side effect and ask about other available treatment options for lowering your cholesterol.
Posted: 2009-11-05 14:02:19
Question/Comment:
I started on Pravastatin on a Friday. Saturday morning, I woke up with a severe muscle cramp in my right calf. So intense, it was sore for a week. Sunday morning, both calfs, both thighs, my triceps and biceps were in muscle cramps. I was doubled over and couldn't walk up right. After researching this drug, that is one of the side effects. I stopped after just 3 pills and the cramping went away. After discussing with my Dr, she said, I would not be able to take any type of this drug. I am now on diet and exercise.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-26 13:07:45
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Pravachol