Pravastatin is used to lower cholesterol if you've been diagnosed with high blood 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 health condition 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, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Take pravastatin even if you feel well, as you will still be getting the benefits. Most people with high cholesterol do not have any symptoms.
- If you take your medicine pravastatin regularly, as prescribed, your cholesterol levels should drop within 4 weeks.