Pravastatin 20mg tablets?

Pravastatin 20 mg tablets are a statin used to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Key points
- What it’s for: Treat high cholesterol (familial or non-familial) and lower risk of heart attack/stroke.
- Typical dosing: For adults, usually 10–20 mg once daily, adjustable up to 40 mg daily based on response and tolerance. 20 mg is a common dose.
- How to take: Once daily. Can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Do not exceed the prescribed amount.
- Who should not take it: People with active liver disease, and pregnant or breastfeeding people. Not recommended in pregnancy; use effective contraception.
- Important safety and interactions:
- Liver injury risk: baseline liver function tests, then periodically.
- Muscle injury (myopathy/rhabdomyolysis): more likely with high doses or when combined with certain drugs; report unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine.
- Interactions: leafy combinations with fusidic acid, certain antibiotics, cyclosporine, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, and some fibrates/niacin can raise risk of side effects. Pravastatin has fewer interactions than some other statins but still check with a clinician.
- Grapefruit: not as problematic as with some statins, but check with your doctor/pharmacist.
- Pregnancy/BBW: Statins are category X in pregnancy; stop if pregnant and avoid breastfeeding unless advised by your clinician.
- Monitoring: Lipid panel after starting or changing dose (often in 4–12 weeks), and liver enzymes as advised by your clinician; watch for symptoms of liver trouble or muscle symptoms.
- Allergies/side effects: common side effects include headache, upset stomach, muscle aches. Serious but rare: liver injury, severe muscle breakdown.

If you’d like, tell me:
- Are you taking pravastatin 20 mg now, or considering it?
- Any other medications or supplements you take?
- Any liver problems, kidney problems, or pregnancy/breastfeeding?
- Your country (to align with local labeling)?

I can tailor dosing notes, monitoring, and safety reminders to your situation.