Pravachol® Tablets for High Cholesterol

Pravastatin is a statin tablet used to lower LDL cholesterol. It is the generic for Pravachol®. This page explains how it works, who it suits, and how to use it safely with US delivery from Canada. You can also review price and access options, even without insurance.

CanadianInsulin connects patients with licensed Canadian pharmacies. Prescriptions are verified with your clinic before dispensing.

What Pravachol® Is and How It Works

Pravastatin belongs to the statin class of cholesterol medicines. It lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol by blocking HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme used by the liver to make cholesterol. Lower LDL helps reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for certain heart procedures when used with diet and lifestyle changes. Pravastatin can be shipped from Canada to the US after your prescription is confirmed.

Pravastatin works mainly in the liver. It increases LDL receptors and helps remove LDL particles from the bloodstream. It also modestly lowers triglycerides and can raise HDL (good) cholesterol a little. Pravastatin is considered a moderate-intensity statin at common doses.

Because pravastatin is hydrophilic and not heavily processed by CYP3A4, it tends to have fewer drug interactions than some other statins. Your clinician may choose it when interactions are a concern.

Who Pravastatin Is For

Pravastatin is used in adults to reduce elevated LDL cholesterol and overall cardiovascular risk. It is often prescribed for primary prevention in patients with multiple risk factors, and for secondary prevention after a heart attack or stroke. Pediatric use may be considered for certain hereditary lipid disorders under specialist guidance.

People who should avoid pravastatin include those with active liver disease or unexplained persistent liver enzyme elevations. Do not use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Tell your clinician if you have kidney problems, thyroid disease, or a history of muscle disorders, as these may affect monitoring needs.

Dosage and Usage

Follow your prescription label. Pravastatin is usually taken once daily, with or without food. Many clinicians prefer evening dosing, but it can be taken at the same time each day based on your routine.

• Typical adult initiation: often 40 mg once daily
• Titration: adjust at intervals of about 4 weeks based on lipid response and tolerability
• Maximum recommended dose: 80 mg once daily, when appropriate

Some people may start at 10 mg or 20 mg, especially older adults or those with kidney impairment. Certain interacting medicines may limit the maximum dose. When unsure about your dose or timing, follow the official label and your clinician’s advice.

Strengths and Forms

Pravastatin is supplied as oral tablets. Common strengths include:

• 10 mg tablets
• 20 mg tablets
• 40 mg tablets
• 80 mg tablets

Availability may vary. Tablet color and imprint can differ by manufacturer.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is close to your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store pravastatin at room temperature and keep the bottle tightly closed. Protect from moisture and excessive heat. When traveling, keep tablets in the original labeled container. Carry a copy of your prescription. For flights, place your medication in your carry-on to avoid extreme temperatures. Secure, encrypted checkout protects your details when you order.

Benefits

Pravastatin helps lower LDL cholesterol and supports plaque stabilization when used with diet and exercise. It is available as a generic, which can offer cost savings. Once-daily dosing is convenient. Pravastatin’s interaction profile is simpler than some other statins, which can help when you take multiple medicines.

If you want to browse similar options, explore our Heart Health Medications selection for related cardiovascular therapies.

Side Effects and Safety

• Headache
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Muscle aches or weakness
• Upper respiratory symptoms
• Sleep changes

Serious effects are uncommon but can include myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, especially when combined with certain drugs or in those with risk factors. Liver enzyme elevations may occur. Rarely, allergic reactions can happen. Seek medical help right away if you develop severe muscle pain, dark urine, marked fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or swelling of the face or tongue. People with diabetes may notice small blood sugar changes; your clinician can guide monitoring. For broader context on statins and glucose, see our article on Statin Drugs Diabetes.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Always share your full medication list, including supplements and alcohol use. Important interactions and cautions include:

• Cyclosporine: increases pravastatin levels; lower maximum doses are advised
• Macrolide antibiotics (for example, clarithromycin, erythromycin): increased muscle risk
• Azole antifungals: potential interaction and muscle risk
• Fibrates and high-dose niacin: higher myopathy risk; gemfibrozil is of particular concern
• Warfarin and other anticoagulants: monitoring may be needed when therapy changes
• Excess alcohol: can strain the liver and increase risk

As an example, talk with your clinician before combining pravastatin with Fenofibrate. Grapefruit juice is less of a concern with pravastatin than with some other statins, but moderation is still reasonable. Always follow your prescriber and the official label for interaction management.

What to Expect Over Time

Most people take pravastatin long term as part of a heart risk reduction plan. Your clinician may check a fasting lipid panel after a few weeks of consistent dosing and adjust the dose if needed. You may not feel different on a day-to-day basis, even as LDL improves. Keep taking pravastatin as prescribed, and continue diet, exercise, and weight management. If you want to compare how another statin is used, you can read our overview of Lipitor Uses.

Compare With Alternatives

Other statins and lipid-lowering agents may be suitable depending on your goals, risk level, and interaction profile.

• Lipitor® (atorvastatin) is a widely used statin with moderate to high-intensity dosing options.
• Ezetimibe blocks cholesterol absorption in the intestine and is often combined with a statin when LDL targets are not reached.

Rosuvastatin is another common option with high-intensity potential. Your clinician can help decide the best fit for your lipid targets and medical history.

Pricing and Access

Pravastatin is a generic with Canadian pricing, and US delivery from Canada. Many people use it to reduce out-of-pocket cost compared with brand alternatives. You can review the cost of pravastatin by strength and quantity on our product page before you proceed.

To get started, add your prescription details and see current pricing. You can compare options in our Cholesterol section to choose the strength that matches your prescription. Orders ship promptly to the US after we verify your prescription with your clinic.

Availability and Substitutions

Pravastatin tablets are commonly available in several strengths. If a particular strength is temporarily unavailable, your prescriber may recommend a clinically appropriate alternative or a different strength with a revised plan. Do not change strengths or switch to a different statin without clinician approval.

Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips

Pravastatin may suit adults who need LDL reduction with a lower potential for CYP-mediated interactions. It is not appropriate in pregnancy, during breastfeeding, or with active liver disease. People with a history of statin-related muscle problems may need closer monitoring or a different lipid therapy plan.

• Ask your clinician about the lowest effective dose for your LDL goal.
• Consider a multi-month supply to reduce per-fill costs where appropriate.
• Use refill reminders so you do not miss doses.
• Keep a consistent diet and exercise plan to support medicine benefits.
• Discuss timing that fits your routine so adherence stays strong.

If you take several cardiovascular medicines, see our Hypertension Cardiovascular category for related therapies that ship to the US.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• What LDL target should I aim for with pravastatin?
• Is evening dosing important for me, or can I dose in the morning?
• When should I have my next lipid panel?
• Do my current medicines raise the risk of muscle symptoms?
• What should I do if I notice persistent muscle pain or weakness?
• Should I limit alcohol while taking pravastatin?
• If I cannot reach my LDL goal, would adding ezetimibe be right for me?

Authoritative Sources

FDA DailyMed: Pravastatin Sodium

FDALabel: Pravastatin

Health Canada DPD: Pravastatin

Ready to start? Place your pravastatin request today for US delivery from Canada after prescription verification. This information is educational and does not replace your clinician’s advice.