Prescription medications often have a number of unintended side effects. Pravastatin is a drug that inhibits cholesterol synthesis. When this drug was introduced, there were concerns that it might reduce levels of vitamin D in the body. This drug does not appear to leach vitamin D from the body, however.
What Is Pravastatin?
Pravastatin is a member of the statin class of medications. Statins are prescription drugs that are often prescribed to lower cholesterol levels, particularly in people with high cholesterol levels or who have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Much of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver. Statin drugs inhibit the activity of an enzyme known as HMG-CoA reductase that is essential for the production of cholesterol. As a result, drugs such as pravastatin can help reduce cholesterol synthesis and treat high cholesterol, according to MedlinePlus.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is essential for regulating your blood calcium levels. Your intestines need vitamin D in order to efficiently absorb dietary calcium. In addition, vitamin D controls cells in your bones that control the synthesis of new bone matrix. A lack of vitamin D can make your bones weak, both due to poor bone cell stimulation and a lack of calcium absorption.
Pravastatin and Vitamin D
Your body is able to synthesize vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. One of the precursors to vitamin D is cholesterol, and when pravastatin was introduced there was a concern that the decreased cholesterol synthesis would interfere with vitamin D synthesis. A study published in a 1991 issue of "Metabolism," however, found that pravastatin did not decrease the amount of vitamin D that the body made, nor did it affect calcium levels. This suggests that pravastatin does not affect vitamin D levels.
Considerations
Although pravastatin does not appear to leach vitamin D out of your body, this medication can cause some serious side effects, including liver and muscle damage. If you are concerned about a vitamin D deficiency or any other health problem, talk to your doctor before ceasing your pravastatin treatment. Blood tests will help determine if you are suffering from any health problems due to pravastatin.
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