Pravastatin

Order Pravastatin Cholesterol Tablets Online

Written by Clinical Pharmacist Hywel McGlinchy

You can order pravastatin cholesterol tablets online from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. You will need to complete a short online medical assessment for our UK registered doctors to review. If our doctors authorise your order, they will issue a prescription which is sent to our pharmacy team. Your medicine will be sent by our pharmacists to your delivery address.

This service is only available to patients who have been prescribed this medicine from their GP previously.

Statins are used long term to reduce high cholesterol levels. At Simple Online Pharmacy, we can provide a one-off emergency supply to patients. If you have been prescribed statins by us previously, you will not be able to re-order.

What is Pravastatin?

Pravastatin is a medicine used to lower cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. It is also prescribed to prevent heart disease, including strokes and heart attacks. High cholesterol is an important risk factor in heart disease. 

Pravastatin is a type of medication known as a statin. The active ingredient is pravastatin sodium.

How does it work?

A blood test can show your levels of ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol and ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol levels raises the risk of strokes and heart problems. 

Pravastatin works like other statins. An enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase is blocked by pravastatin. This enzyme is responsible for making cholesterol. By disrupting this enzyme, pravastatin reduces the amount of cholesterol produced by the body and lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol levels.

Treatment with pravastatin causes a reduction in ‘bad’ cholesterol levels and an increase in ‘good’ cholesterol levels. These changes reduce the risk of cholesterol blocking blood vessels. By doing so, the risk of heart problems such as strokes and heart attacks is reduced.

Dose

The pravastatin dosage you are prescribed depends on your cholesterol levels and reasons for taking it. The dose may be lower for older adults. Pravastatin is available in the following strengths:

• 40mg
• 20mg
• 10mg

Pravastatin is more effective if taken in the evening or before bedtime.

Pravastatin Summary

Pravastatin Prices

Alternatives

A number of other statins are available including:

• Fluvastatin
• Lipitor
• Crestor
• Atorvastatin
• Simvastatin

Different types of medicines can also be used to lower cholesterol such as:

• Bezafibrate
• Ezetimibe
• Fenofibrate

There are newer medicines available to treat high cholesterol. One example is evolocumab, which belongs to a class of medicines called PCSK9 inhibitors.

What are some side effects of pravastatin?

Examples of pravastatin side effects include:

• Diarrhoea
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Tiredness

The patient information leaflet contains further information on side effects, including less common side effects.

Should pravastatin be taken at night?

Some statins are more effective if taken at night. This applies to pravastatin, which should be taken in the evening or at bedtime.

Which statin has the least amount of side effects?

Statins are generally well tolerated by most people. Certain side effects such as nausea, problems sleeping and headaches are common to most statins. It is hard to say which has the least amount of side effects because they are different for everyone. 

If you find a certain statin gives you side effects, you can call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Your doctor may be able to switch you to a different statin that may cause you no, or fewer, side effects.

The NHS website has further information regarding statin side effects.

Can pravastatin cause weight loss?

Weight loss can be a side effect of some statins but it is not listed as a side effect of pravastatin.

Is there a cholesterol medication that is not a statin?

Statins are the most common medicines used to lower cholesterol but other medicines exist to lower cholesterol. One example is a class of medicines called fibrates. Fibrates, like bezafibrate or fenofibrate, are effective at reducing cholesterol levels. Other types such as bile acid sequestrants and ezetimibe are also used.

Can I order pravastatin online?

Yes, it can be ordered online from our online pharmacy and doctor service. You will need to complete a medical questionnaire which is evaluated by our UK registered doctors. If your order is approved, our pharmacy team will deliver it to your chosen address. 

This service is only available to patients who have been prescribed this medicine from their GP previously.

Some side effects of pravastatin use include:

• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Tiredness
• Indigestion or stomach pain

The patient information leaflet contains further information. You should report side effects to a healthcare professional such as your doctor or pharmacist.

There are some rare but serious side effects of pravastatin. Examples of these are:

• Allergic reactions which can include symptoms such as swollen lips, face and tongue
• Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness which may indicate muscle problems
• Tendon rupture
• Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
• Hepatitis (liver inflammation)

If you experience any of these side effects or think you may be experiencing them, seek immediate medical advice.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Pravastatin 10mg Tablets PIL
• Pravastatin 20mg Tablets PIL
• Pravastatin 40mg Tablets PIL

Other conditions and pravastatin

Some people with certain medical conditions should not take pravastatin. This includes people:

• With liver disease (high risk of liver side effects)
• Who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have had blood tests that show abnormal liver function
• Who are allergic to pravastatin or any other ingredients in the tablets

The patient information leaflet contains further information about other conditions which may be affected by taking it. This includes people with an underactive thyroid and kidney disease. If you are uncertain, call your doctor for medical advice about pravastatin and your existing medical conditions.

Interactions with other medicines

Pravastatin can interact with certain medicines. There is an increased risk of side effects if taking interacting medicines. Examples of these medicines include:

• Warfarin and other blood thinning medication
• Certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and fusidic acid
• Fibrates (e.g bezafibrate)
• Ciclosporin

The patient information leaflet contains a comprehensive list of interacting medicines.