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Pravastatin Coupon - Pravastatin 40mg tablet

pravastatin

Generic Pravachol
Used for Coronary Artery Disease, High Cholesterol
Used for Coronary Artery Disease, High Cholesterol

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.

Last reviewed on October 16, 2023
basics-icon

What is Pravastatin?

What is Pravastatin used for?

How Pravastatin works

Pravastatin is a statin. It works by blocking a protein in your liver that makes cholesterol. This lowers the amount of "bad" cholesterol (called low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) in your blood. Pravastatin might also help raise your "good" cholesterol (called high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) levels and lower your triglyceride levels. As a result, pravastatin helps lower the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsPravachol (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassStatin
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

More on Pravastatin essentials

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What are the side effects of Pravastatin?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Other Side Effects

  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Cough
  • Muscle cramp
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis): dark brown urine, severe muscle weakness or pain, fever, tiredness
  • Liver problems: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, confusion, dark or brown urine

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Difficulty with moving

muscle or bone pain

muscle stiffness

pain in the joints

pain, localized

Less common

Arm, back, or jaw pain

chest pain, discomfort, or tightness

chills

cough

dark-colored urine

diarrhea

difficult or labored breathing

ear congestion

fast or irregular heartbeat

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

loss of appetite

muscle cramps, spasms, tenderness, wasting, or weakness

nausea

runny or stuffy nose

shivering

sneezing

sore throat

sweating

swollen joints

trouble sleeping

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Stomach pain

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

bloated or full feeling

blurred vision or other changes in vision

difficult or painful urination

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

dizziness

double vision

fear or nervousness

feeling sad or empty

increased urge to urinate during the night

irritability

loss of interest or pleasure

pain in the chest below the breastbone

passing gas

rash

stomach discomfort or upset

tiredness

trouble concentrating

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Pravastatin

thumbs-up

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

thumbs-down

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

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Pravastatin

pharmacist
  • Mark your calendar with your appointments to see your provider and to get any blood work done when you take pravastatin. Your provider will order blood work to check your cholesterol levels and liver function during treatment. Your provider might change your dose of pravastatin based on your lab results.

    • You can take pravastatin with or without food. But taking it with food might help prevent possible stomach side effects like nausea.

      • Taking pravastatin at night before you go to sleep might help you get the most benefit from the medication. Ask your provider about taking this medication at a time that works best for you if it's challenging for you to take it at bedtime.

        • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while you're taking pravastatin. This is because alcohol can raise your risk of serious liver problems with pravastatin. Ask your provider what's a safe amount of alcohol to drink while you're taking this medication.

          • Let your provider know right away if you experience muscle pain or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or feel extremely tired. This can be a sign of rare, but serious muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis.

            • Make sure to tell your provider about all of the medications you're taking before and during treatment with pravastatin. Several medications can interact with pravastatin. Some drug interactions can either make the cholesterol medication work less well or put you at risk for side effects like muscle damage.

              • Be sure to follow a healthy and balanced diet that's low in fat and maintain a regular exercise routine while you're taking pravastatin. This will help you get the most benefit from the medication. Talk with your provider if you have questions about how to plan your meals and what kind of exercise is appropriate for you.

                • Tell your provider as soon as possible if you become pregnant while you're taking pravastatin. This medication can cause harm to unborn babies. You'll need to discuss with your provider about the risks and benefits of continuing the medication and what safe alternatives there are for you.

                  More on Pravastatin tips

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Pravastatin

                  Is pravastatin 20 mg a low dose?
                  Yes, pravastatin doses typically range from 10 mg to 80 mg so a 20 mg dose is considered low for this medication. At doses 40 mg to 80 mg, pravastatin can lower your cholesterol levels by almost 50%. But taking pravastatin at a dose of 20 mg lowers your cholesterol levels by up to 30% and is considered a low-intensity dose. Depending on your cholesterol levels, it's possible that a low-intensity dose of pravastatin is all you need. Your provider will check your cholesterol levels and follow up with you on how well you're tolerating the medication to see whether your dose needs to be adjusted.
                  What are the long-term side effects of pravastatin?
                  Statins like pravastatin can potentially cause side effects that affect many parts of the body, such as muscle pain and muscle problems, liver damage, kidney damage, and Type 2 diabetes. But research looking how safe statins are shows that these potentially serious side effects are quite rare and are usually not too concerning if they do happen. In general, the benefits of statins to lower cholesterol and lower the risk for serious complications like heart attack far outweigh the risks for most people. To be safe though, your provider will regularly follow up with you throughout treatment with pravastatin to make sure you're not having any side effects.
                  Does pravastatin cause weight gain?
                  Weight gain wasn't a reported side effect from people taking pravastatin in clinical studies. But a large 2014 study found that people taking statins long-term (about 10 years) ended up gaining weight due to changes in their diet. But the reason for this isn't completely clear. A study suggests that statins might raise hunger by affecting the levels of certain hormones in the body, but the results aren't consistent to know for sure. It's important to note that cholesterol medications will work well only when you also follow lifestyle modifications (e.g., proper diet, exercise). Talk to your provider if you notice changes in your eating habits and weight after using pravastatin for a long time.
                  Does pravastatin cause hair loss?
                  Hair loss is possible, but very rare with statins. There haven't been any reports of hair loss from people who take pravastatin specifically. But some people taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) have reported hair loss. It's important to talk to your provider if you notice any changes to your hair thickness or growth after you start pravastatin. Your provider can examine you or run some tests to see whether pravastatin is truly the cause for your hair loss.
                  Does pravastatin cause depression?
                  No. Studies show that statins like pravastatin don't cause depression. In fact, there's some evidence that suggests that statins might have antidepressant effects, but more research is needed in this area. Remember that pravastatin is FDA-approved only to lower cholesterol levels and shouldn't be specifically used for depression.
                  Is pravastatin a blood thinner?
                  No, pravastatin isn't a blood thinner medication and it doesn't raise your risk for bleeding. Pravastatin is a statin that's used to lower your cholesterol levels. But it's common for certain people to need to take both pravastatin and a blood thinner medication together. For example, after a heart attack, people are commonly prescribed a statin and a blood thinner like aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix). The statin helps prevent cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels and the blood thinner helps stop blood clots from forming; both types of medications help prevent heart attacks from getting worse or from happening again.
                  Should pravastatin be taken in the morning or at night?
                  The manufacturer of pravastatin states that you can take the medication at any time of day as long as you stay consistent each day. But it's often recommended that you take pravastatin at night. Pravastatin is a short-acting statin, meaning its effects on cholesterol might wear off before the next dose. Since your body makes more cholesterol at night, it might be better to take pravastatin in the evening. However, more research is needed to confirm whether taking the medication at night is truly beneficial. Ask your provider whether it's okay to take pravastatin at another time that works for you if taking it at night is challenging for you. The more important thing to keep in mind is that it's better to take your pravastatin than to not take it at all.
                  What should you not take with pravastatin?
                  There are certain medications that interact with pravastatin and raise the risk for severe muscle pain. Some medications, including pravastatin, might need to have their dosages adjusted or avoided altogether. Examples of medications that interact with pravastatin and raise the risk for muscle damage include gemfibrozil (Lopid), cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune), macrolide antibiotics like azithromycin, and colchicine (Colcrys, Lodoco). Make sure to tell your provider about all of the medications you're taking, including other cholesterol medications, before and during treatment with pravastatin.
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                  warings-icon

                  What are the risks and warnings for Pravastatin?

                  Pravastatin can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                  risk-warning

                  Severe muscle pain and damage

                  • Risk factors: Age 65 years and older | Higher dose of pravastatin | Kidney problems | Taking other medications that can also cause muscle problems or interact with pravastatin | Uncontrolled hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)

                    Pravastatin can cause a rare, but serious and life-threatening muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis. If severe, this muscle problem can lead to kidney injury. Your risk for rhabdomyolysis is higher if you take other medications that can raise the levels of pravastatin in your body or that can also cause muscle damage. For this reason, don't start any new medications without asking your provider or pharmacist first. Stop pravastatin and get medical attention right away if you notice any of symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, such as severe muscle pain, muscle tenderness or weakness, dark-colored urine, weakness, and tiredness.

                    Rarely, statins like pravastatin can cause immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune condition that causes muscle inflammation and muscle weakness. This muscle problem might continue even if you stop taking the statin. If you develop IMNM, your provider will ask you to stop the statin and might treat you with medications to dampen down your immune system.

                    risk-warning

                    Worsening liver problems and liver failure

                    • Risk factors: History of liver problems | Drinking large amounts of alcohol

                      Though rare, pravastatin can cause serious liver problems that can lead to liver failure. You might need to get blood tests to check your liver health before and during treatment to make sure your liver is working properly. Get medical attention right away if you notice swelling of your stomach; stomach pain; yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes; stool changes (black, tarry, or bloody stools); nausea; vomiting; or dark or brown urine. You might need to stop using the medication to prevent further liver damage.

                      risk-warning

                      Higher blood sugar levels

                      • Risk factors: High blood sugar

                        Some research suggest that statins like pravastatin can raise blood sugar levels, which can lead to higher hemoglobin A1C levels. However, healthcare providers believe that the benefits of statins outweigh their risk for harm. Let your provider know if you have diabetes or high blood sugar before you start pravastatin. You might need to check your blood sugar more often. Also, make sure to follow a healthy, balanced diet and do regular exercise while you're taking pravastatin.

                        risk-warning

                        Possible harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding

                        Pravastatin isn't recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding for most people. This medication can cause harm to unborn and breastfed babies. Talk to your provider about the safest options for you if you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.

                        More on Pravastatin warnings

                        dosage

                        Pravastatin dosage forms

                        The average cost for 90 tablets of 40mg of Pravastatin is $14.40 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 87.96% off the average retail price of $119.59.
                        tablet
                        Tablet
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        10mg90 tablets$16.20$0.18
                        20mg90 tablets$15.30$0.17
                        40mg90 tablets$14.40$0.16
                        80mg90 tablets$20.70$0.23

                        Typical dosing for Pravastatin

                        • Adults: The typical dose ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg by mouth once per day.

                        • Children age 14 to 18 years with HeFH: The typical starting dose is 40 mg by mouth once per day.

                        • Children age 8 to 13 years with HeFH: The typical dose is 20 mg by mouth once per day.

                        Your provider will change your dose depending on different factors, such as your cholesterol levels, kidney function, side effects that you're having, or other medications you might be taking that interact with pravastatin.

                        More on Pravastatin dosage forms

                        interactions

                        Interactions between Pravastatin and other drugs

                        Pravastatin may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Pravastatin. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                        How much does Pravastatin cost?

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                        contraindications-icon

                        Pravastatin contraindications

                        Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Pravastatin will not be safe for you to take.
                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Pravastatin?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Pravastatin. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Pravastatin
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                        $6.60 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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                        $12.60 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        latest news

                        What is the latest news about Pravastatin?

                        images

                        Pravastatin images

                        Green Modified Rectangle 40 And G5 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Modified Rectangle Tablet Imprinted With "G5" And "40".Green Modified Rectangle 40 And G5 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Green Modified Rectangle 40 And G5 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Modified Rectangle Tablet Imprinted With "G5" And "40".Green Modified Rectangle 40 And G5 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Green Rectangular 8 And Pb - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Rectangular Tablet Imprinted With "Pb" And "8".Green Rectangular 8 And Pb - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Green Round Teva And 7202 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "7202" And "Teva".Green Round Teva And 7202 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        White Round 231 And Rdy - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Rdy" And "231".White Round 231 And Rdy - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Green Round Apo And Pra 40 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Apo" And "Pra 40".Green Round Apo And Pra 40 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        White Oblong Ce And 214 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is White, Oblong Tablet Imprinted With "Ce" And "214".White Oblong Ce And 214 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Yellow Oblong N03 And Lu - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Yellow, Oblong Tablet Imprinted With "N03" And "Lu".Yellow Oblong N03 And Lu - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Green Modified Rectangle 40 And G5 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Modified Rectangle Tablet Imprinted With "G5" And "40".Green Modified Rectangle 40 And G5 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Green Modified Rectangle 40 And G5 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Modified Rectangle Tablet Imprinted With "G5" And "40".Green Modified Rectangle 40 And G5 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Green Round Teva And 7202 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "7202" And "Teva".Green Round Teva And 7202 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        Green Round Teva And 7202 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "7202" And "Teva".Green Round Teva And 7202 - Pravastatin Sodium 40mg Tablet

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Accord Healthcare Inc. (2024). Pravastatin sodium tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        American Heart Association. (2024). What is familial hypercholesterolemia?

                        De Giorgi, R., et al. (2021). Statins in depression: An evidence-based overview of mechanisms and clinical studies. Frontiers in Psychiatry.

                        View All References (9)

                        Gutlapalli, S. D., et al. (2022). The anti-depressant effects of statins in patients with major depression post-myocardial infarction: An updated review 2022. Cureus.

                        Lorza-Gil, E., et al. (2019). Diabetogenic effect of pravastatin is associated with insulin resistance and myotoxicity in hypercholesterolemic mice. Journal of Translational Medicine.

                        McTaggart, F., et al. (2008). Effects of statins on high-density lipoproteins: a potential contribution to cardiovascular benefit. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy.

                        Naci, H., et al. (2013). Comparative tolerability and harms of individual statins. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

                        Ramkumar, S., et al. (2016). Statin therapy: Review of safety and potential side effects. Acta Cardiologica Sinica.

                        Segal, A. S. (2002). Alopecia associated with atorvastatin. The American Journal of Medicine.

                        Singh, P., et al. (2018). Statins decrease leptin expression in human white adipocytes. Physiological Reports.

                        Stroie, O. P., et al. (2020). Statin-induced immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy: an increasingly recognized inflammatory myopathy. Cureus.

                        Sugiyama, T., et al. (2014). Different time trends of caloric and fat intake between statin users and nonusers among US adults. Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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