Pravastatin Sodium

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Oct 17, 2023

Drug Details


Generic Name:

Pravastatin sodium

Common Brands:

Pravachol (brand discontinued)

Availability:

Prescription only

Therapeutic Class:

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins

Forms:

Tablet

Administration:

By mouth

Therapeutic Uses:

  • For secondary prevention of heart attack, heart revascularization procedures, cardiovascular mortality (death due to cardiovascular disease), stroke, or transient ischemic attacks, and to slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in adults with clinical signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD)
  • For primary prevention of heart attack, heart revascularization procedures, and coronary death in adults at risk of developing symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD)
  • As an adjunct to a healthy diet in adults with primary hyperlipidemia (elevated low-density lipoprotein or LDL levels)
  • As an adjunct to a healthy diet in adults with hypertriglyceridemia (elevated triglyceride levels) 
  • As an adjunct to a healthy diet in adults with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia
  • As an adjunct to a healthy diet in pediatric patients aged 8 years and above with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)

Controlled Status:

Not a controlled substance


Pravastatin Drug Class

Pravastatin (pra-vah-stah-tin) belongs to a group called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statin drugs.

Pravastatin Age Range

Pravastatin is approved for use in adults. It is also prescribed to children 8 years of age and older who have an inherited condition called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.