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Compare Pravastatin vs. Tricor

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Pravastatin (Pravachol) and fenofibrate (Tricor, Trilipix) are both medications used to manage cholesterol levels, but they belong to different drug classes and work in distinct ways. Pravastatin is a statin that lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) by blocking a protein in your liver. It is typically taken once a day and is available as a generic. Common side effects include muscle pain, nausea, and headache. Fenofibrate, on the other hand, is a fibrate that primarily lowers triglycerides and also helps with LDL and HDL levels. It is also taken once daily and comes in various brand names and generic forms. Fenofibrate can cause liver problems and stomach pain, and it has a warning against using it with statins due to the risk of muscle damage. While both medications require a healthy diet and regular exercise to be effective, fenofibrate has more specific dietary instructions depending on the brand. Additionally, fenofibrate is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, similar to pravastatin.

  • Pravastatin
    Fenofibrate
  • Pravastatin
    Fenofibrate

  • Summary of Pravastatin vs. Tricor

    Summary for Statin
    Prescription only

    Pravastatin is a statin that's used to lower cholesterol in adults and certain children. By lowering your cholesterol levels, the medication helps protect your heart and blood vessels from serious and even life-threatening medical problems, such as heart attack or stroke. Pravastatin should be taken with a heart-healthy diet and a regular exercise routine for it to work as best as possible. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth once per day. Pravastatin side effects include muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache.

    Summary for Fibrate
    Prescription only

    Fenofibrate (also known as fenofibric acid) is used as an add-on medication to diet to treat high triglycerides and high cholesterol. Common side effects include liver problems, breathing problems, and stomach pain. Fenofibrate includes a warning about avoiding statin medications because of the risk of muscle damage, and also because it doesn't add any extra benefit in reducing the risk of heart problems compared to taking a statin alone. Fenofibrate is available in many brand names (e.g., Antara, Tricor, Trilipix), generics, and dosage forms (e.g., micronized capsules, delayed-release capsules, tablets).

  • Indications of Pravastatin vs. Tricor

    Indications for
    •Lower the risk of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack, stroke) in adults at risk for heart problems
    •Lower "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels in certain adults
    •Lower "bad" cholesterol levels in children age 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)
    Indications for
    •Treatment of high triglycerides - add-on to diet
    •Treatment of high "bad" cholesterol (LDL), with or without high triglycerides and low "good" cholesterol (HDL) - add-on to diet

  • Pros and Cons of Pravastatin vs. Tricor

    Pros and Const for Statin
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth once per day
    •Has fewer interactions with other medications than other statins
    •Might be safer and better tolerated than other statins
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Recommended to take in the evening to work better
    •Doesn't replace having a healthy diet and regular exercise routine to lower cholesterol levels
    •Not a high-intensity statin
    •Not safe to use if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
    Pros and Const for Fibrate
    Pros
    •Lowers triglycerides and LDL ("bad" cholesterol) while raising HDL ("good" cholesterol)
    •Only needs to be taken once daily
    •Some brands can be taken with or without food
    •Some brands available as lower-cost generics
    Cons
    •Need to take it alongside a low-fat diet; doesn't work well on its own
    •Can cause muscle damage, especially if taken with a statin
    •Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
    •Can't take if you have liver, severe kidney, or gallbladder problems

  • Common Side Effects of Pravastatin vs. Tricor

    Common Side Effects for
    •Muscle, joint, or bone pain (25%)
    •Upper respiratory infection (21%)
    •Chest pain (10%)
    •Nausea or vomiting (7%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Liver damage (8%)
    •Lung problems (6%)
    •Stomach pain (5%)

  • Warnings of Pravastatin vs. Tricor

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe muscle pain and damage
    •Worsening liver problems and liver failure
    •Higher blood sugar levels
    •Possible harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding
    Common Side Effects for
    •Liver damage
    •Muscle damage (myopathy and rhabdomyolysis)
    •Possible effect on the kidneys
    •Allergic reactions
    •Gallstones
    •Pancreatitis
    •Blood clots

  • Prices with our coupons for Pravastatin vs. Tricor

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