Pravastatin is type of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, or statin. Pravastatin is used to reduce the levels of cholesterol and fatty substances within the body. This drug works by decreasing the production of the fatty materials. Pravastatin helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease, but may cause harmful side effects. Patients should be aware of these drug-induced conditions and be ready to cope if they do occur.
Gastrointestinal Effects
Pravastatin, as reported by Drugs.com, can cause many adverse effects to the digestive system. These include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn. Nausea and vomiting are the most common gastrointestinal symptom and occur in 2.9 percent of patients taking the drug.
The abdominal pain is usually located on the upper right portion of the abdomen, according to GenRxInfo.com. This is the area where the liver is located. Most of the cholesterol production occurs in the liver, and therefore the organ is affected greatly by the drug.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Pravastatin can cause symptoms that may mimic the flu. Patients complain of headache, muscle pain, headache and dizziness, according to Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS). These symptoms can be treated with other medications, such as pain relievers. If the symptoms become too severe, pravastatin should be stopped, and the patient should be given another drug that decreases cholesterol levels.
Swelling
Patients taking pravastatin have complained of swelling in the face, tongue, lips, throat, eyes, hands, and legs, according to GenRxInfo.com. This type of swelling is called angioedema. The swelling can be mild or severe. If the swelling is too great for the patient to cope with, then pravastatin should be discontinued. The patient can then receive an alternative form of treatment.
Liver Inflammation
Statin drugs target the production of cholesterol in the liver. Thus, if statin drugs are taken, the liver receives a high concentration. In the case of pravastatin, this may lead to liver inflammation, or hepatitis, according to Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS). Liver damage can manifest as abdominal pain located in the right upper part of the abdomen, jaundice (yellowing discoloration of the eyes and skin) and swelling of the abdomen. If the liver becomes too inflamed, pravastatin should be stopped.
Allergic Reactions
Some patients may experience an allergic reaction to pravastatin, according to Drugs.com. Severe allergic reactions are called anaphylaxis. In this condition patients experience difficulty of breathing, swelling of the face, throat, or hands, and a generalized skin rash. If a patient experiences any of these symptoms, then he should seek immediate medical attention. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition that needs emergency care.
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