Skip to main content

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

 

Get free coupons

Gemfibrozil

(Lopid)

Get free coupons

Summary for Pravastatin

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.

Indications for Pravastatin

Pros and Cons for Pravastatin

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

Common Side Effects for Pravastatin

Warnings for Pravastatin

  • Severe muscle pain and damage
  • Worsening liver problems and liver failure
  • Higher blood sugar levels
  • Possible harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Summary for Lopid

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 for Lopid

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 for Lopid

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 for Lopid

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

Warnings for Lopid

  • Gallstones
  • Interactions with other medications
  • Muscle damage

Prices with our coupons for Pravastatin vs. Lopid

Price Card Drug Icon
Pravastatin90 tablets / 40mg
$23.61$80.73
Get free coupons
More Information
Price Card Drug Icon
Gemfibrozil180 tablets / 600mg
$24.00$24.00
Get free coupons
More Information

Compare other Coronary Artery Disease and High Cholesterol drugs

Crestor vs. PravastatinPravastatin vs. AntaraPravastatin vs. AtorvastatinPravastatin vs. LivaloPravastatin vs. Lopid
Pravastatin vs. RosuvastatinFluvastatin vs. RosuvastatinLopid vs. LipitorLopid vs. LovazaLopid vs. TricorLopid vs. ZocorLovastatin vs. AtorvastatinLovastatin vs. LivaloLovastatin vs. RosuvastatinNiaspan vs. AtorvastatinNiaspan vs. CrestorNiaspan vs. LopidOmega-3-acid vs. AtorvastatinOmega-3-acid vs. CrestorOmega-3-acid vs. LopidPitavastatin vs. RosuvastatinRosuvastatin vs. AtorvastatinRosuvastatin vs. SimvastatinSimvastatin vs. AtorvastatinSimvastatin vs. LivaloTrilipix vs. AtorvastatinTrilipix vs. LopidVytorin vs. AtorvastatinVytorin vs. LopidZetia vs. Atorvastatin

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.