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Compare Pravastatin vs. Lopid

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

Key takeaways

Pravastatin (Pravachol) and gemfibrozil (Lopid) are both medications used to manage cholesterol levels, but they belong to different classes and work in distinct ways. Pravastatin is a statin that lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides while raising "good" cholesterol (HDL) by blocking a protein in your liver. It's typically taken once a day and is available as a generic. Common side effects include muscle pain, nausea, and headache. On the other hand, gemfibrozil is a fibrate that helps break down fats in your body and is taken twice a day before meals. It also lowers LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL, but it has more interactions with other medications, especially statins, which can increase the risk of muscle damage. Common side effects of gemfibrozil include indigestion, stomach pain, and diarrhea. While both medications require a prescription, gemfibrozil is not recommended for people with gallbladder or severe kidney problems, and it should not be taken with certain other medications.

  • Pravastatin
    Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
  • Pravastatin
    Gemfibrozil (Lopid)

  • Summary of Pravastatin vs. Lopid

    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

    Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is used as an add-on medication to diet to lower triglycerides (fats) and "bad" cholesterol (LDL). At the same time, this medication can help raise "good" cholesterol (HDL). The usual dosage is one tablet taken by mouth twice a day before meals. Common side effects of gemfibrozil (Lopid) include indigestion, stomach pain, and diarrhea. It has many interactions with other medications, including cholesterol-lowering medications called statins.

  • Indications of Pravastatin vs. Lopid

    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

    As an add-on to diet for

    •Treatment of high triglycerides
    •Lower the risk of heart disease in people with low HDL, high LDL, and high triglycerides who've tried other options (e.g., exercise, other medications)

  • Pros and Cons of Pravastatin vs. Lopid

    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
    •Helps lower the risk of pancreas inflammation due to very high triglyceride levels
    •An alternative cholesterol medication for people who can't tolerate statins
    •Can lower the risk of serious heart events (e.g., heart attack) by 34% in certain middle-aged men
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Not a first-choice option for lowering cholesterol
    •Can interact with statin medications, which many people take for high cholesterol
    •Should take 30 minutes before meals, which requires some planning
    •Not a good option for people who have liver, kidney, or gallbladder problems

  • Common Side Effects of Pravastatin vs. Lopid

    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
    •Indigestion (20%)
    •Stomach pain (10%)
    •Diarrhea (7%)

  • Warnings of Pravastatin vs. Lopid

    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
    •Gallstones
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Muscle damage

  • Prices with our coupons for Pravastatin vs. Lopid

    Learn more about Pravastatin
    Learn more about Gemfibrozil

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