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Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Pravachol, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a692025 |
License data |
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Pregnancy category |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
ATC code | |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 18%[4] |
Protein binding | 50%[4] |
Metabolism | Liver (minimal)[4] |
Elimination half-life | 1-3 hours[4] |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.216.225 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C23H36O7 |
Molar mass | 424.534 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Pravastatin, sold under the brand name Pravachol among others, is a statin medication, used for preventing cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treating abnormal lipids.[5] It is suggested to be used together with diet changes, exercise, and weight loss.[5] It is taken by mouth.[5]
Common side effects include joint pain, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, and muscle pains.[5] Serious side effects may include rhabdomyolysis, liver problems, and diabetes.[5] Use during pregnancy may harm the fetus.[5] Like all statins, pravastatin works by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme found in liver that plays a role in producing cholesterol.[5]
Pravastatin was patented in 1980 and approved for medical use in 1989.[6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7] It is available as a generic medication.[5] In 2022, it was the 37th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 16 million prescriptions.[8][9]
Pravastatin FDA label
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).