Pravastatin and Its Uses
Pravastatin is a medication in the class of drugs called statins. Doctors typically prescribe it for preventing cardiovascular disease and treating high cholesterol. It is available in an oral tablet that can be taken once a day. There are four strengths available, including 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. Pravastatin was first approved under the brand name Pravachol in 1991. These days, you can get it in the generic form under the chemical name: pravastatin. [1]
Pravastatin is approved by the FDA for use in children older than 8 years old and adults. It can be prescribed for the following uses:
– Preventing or slowing the progression of atherosclerosis
– Improving abnormal levels of lipid, including healthy HDL cholesterol, harmful LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides
– Lowering the risk of transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, or heart attack
– Lowering the risk of heart attack in those with high cholesterol levels, but no other symptoms of coronary heart disease
– Treating familial dysbetalipoproteinemia, a condition that causes low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglyccerides
– Lowering the risk of a cardiac bypass
Pravastatin should be recommended only when other measures, such as weight reduction, exercise, or diet changes, have not be as effective as expected. [2]