Pravastatin

Pravastatin is a type of treatment known as a statin, which means that it influences liver enzymes and stops them from producing too much LDL. LDL is what transports cholesterol to cells in the body and too much will results in a build-up of fatty plaque. Lower cholesterol in the blood means there is less of a risk of it building up and causing conditions such as atherosclerosis.

In addition to LDL and triglyceride regulation, Pravastatin is also believed to increase the production of HDL, which is a lipoprotein that takes cholesterol away from the cardiovascular system back to the liver.

It is mostly recommended to people with dangerously high levels of cholesterol or those that are at risk of serious complications because of it. This statin will likely be prescribed alongside exercise and an improved diet to ensure that a patient is getting the most benefit from their treatment and thus taking all the necessary steps to remove them from harm’s way.

You may not have been prescribed this treatment if you are taking other cholesterol lowering treatments already, you are allergic to pravastatin or similar treatments, or you have liver problems or a condition influencing your kidney health. You should also have mentioned to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or taking any other treatments so that they can evaluate your risk of contraindications.

Like all statins, it’s best to take Pravastatin in the evenings as this is when the body produces the most cholesterol. You are only required to take one tablet daily, but it should not be used alongside excess amounts of alcohol or grapefruit-based products.

It is available in a 10mg, 20mg and 40mg dose, and will be prescribed depending on your condition and your tolerance of this medication.

All prescription medications carry with them a slight risk of side effects, however in most cases the risk doesn’t outweigh the benefit to the patient. The most common side effects associated with the use of Pravastatin include headaches, nausea, dizziness, insomnia or bladder issues, but these tend to pass as the body adapts to the treatment.

More serious side effects may include kidney problems, muscular issues or an allergic reaction. These effects are extremely rare, but will require immediate medical attention if they occur.

121doc's online consultation forms part of our ordering process, which means that you can now safely and conveniently order Pravastatin if you've already been prescribed it by your GP. Just ensure that you complete the online consultation as thoroughly as possible and once your order is complete, one of our doctors will review your consultation. If our doctor feels that you can use this medication safely, your treatment will be dispatched for quick and convenient next day delivery. If our doctor feels that this treatment is not safe for you to use, you will not be charged and our Medical team will be in contact to notify you.

If you want more information about high cholesterol, visit our condition page for high cholesterol to find out more about the symptoms and treatments available.