Pravastatin is used to lower cholesterol if you've been diagnosed with high cholesterol.
It's also taken to prevent heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes.
Pravastatin belongs to a group of medicines called statins.
Your doctor may prescribe pravastatin if you have a family history of heart disease, or a long-term condition that can be linked to heart disease or high cholesterol, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
Pravastatin is available on prescription as tablets.
Key facts
- It's unusual to have any side effects from taking pravastatin.
- Do not take pravastatin if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- Take pravastatin even if you feel well, because you'll still get the benefits. Most people with high cholesterol do not have any symptoms.
- If you take pravastatin regularly, as prescribed, your cholesterol levels should improve within 4 weeks.