Brand Name
Sandoz Pravastatin
Common Name
pravastatin
In this drug factsheet:
DIN (Drug Identification Number)| 02247856 | SANDOZ PRAVASTATIN 10 MG TABLET |
| 02247857 | SANDOZ PRAVASTATIN 20 MG TABLET |
| 02247858 | SANDOZ PRAVASTATIN 40 MG TABLET |
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Pravastatin belongs to the family of medications known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors ("statins"). It is used in addition to diet and exercise to lower high cholesterol levels. Pravastatin works by blocking an enzyme that is needed to make cholesterol in the liver. Therefore, less cholesterol is made and levels of cholesterol in the blood decrease. Lowering cholesterol levels in the blood has been shown to reduce the risks associated with heart disease, such as heart attack.
Pravastatin can be used to reduce the risk of death, heart attacks, stroke, and angioplasty for people with heart disease and normal to moderately-high cholesterol. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attacks, angioplasty and death for people with high cholesterol who do not already have heart disease.
The medication usually takes about 4 weeks to have a significant effect on cholesterol levels in your blood. After this time, your doctor will likely send you for a lab test to check for changes in your cholesterol levels.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
How should I use this medication?
Before starting pravastatin, you should be on a cholesterol-lowering diet. If appropriate, a program of weight control and physical exercise should be implemented.
The recommended starting dose of pravastatin is 20 mg daily, taken with or without food in a single dose at bedtime. Your doctor will do blood tests to tell how well this dose is working for you and may gradually increase the dose to get the desired response. The maximum recommended dose for adults is 80 mg taken once daily.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
For best results in lowering your cholesterol, it is very important that you closely follow the diet suggested by your doctor. It is also very important that you take pravastatin exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as you remember and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
10 mg
Each pink-to-peach coloured, mottled, rounded, rectangular-shaped, biconvex, uncoated tablet, debossed with "RE25" on one side and plain on the other side, contains pravastatin 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, ferric oxide (red), ferric oxide (yellow), lactose anhydrous, and sodium stearyl fumarate.
20 mg
Each yellow coloured, mottled, rounded, rectangular-shaped, biconvex, uncoated tablet, debossed with "RE26" on one side and plain on the other side, contains pravastatin 20 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, ferric oxide (red), ferric oxide (yellow), lactose anhydrous, and sodium stearyl fumarate.
40 mg
Each green coloured, mottled, rounded, rectangular-shaped, biconvex, uncoated tablet, debossed with "RE27" on one side and plain on the other side, contains pravastatin 40 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, ferric oxide (red), ferric oxide (yellow), lactose anhydrous, and sodium stearyl fumarate.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to pravastatin or any ingredients of this medication
- are breast-feeding
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- have active liver disease or unexplained increases in liver function tests
