Pravastatin sodium, known as the brand Pravachol, is a prescription medication for lowering cholesterol. Pravastatin is classified as a statin drug; it slows the production of cholesterol in the body. Although most people tolerate pravastatin sodium well, the drug is associated with a few significant side effects and safety issues.
Muscle Pain
One noteworthy concern with pravastatin sodium and other statin drugs is the relatively common side effect of muscle pain and aches. In premarketing clinical studies, up to 2.7 percent of participants developed muscle pain while taking pravastatin, according to eMedTV. The problem is especially likely when a patient begins taking the medicine or increases the dosage. Tell your doctor if you develop muscle pain while taking pravastatin. If the pain doesn't go away, your doctor may prescribe a different medicine. In addition, muscle pain may indicate a rare but more serious issue.
Serious Muscle Problems
Although the occurrence is uncommon, some patients taking pravastatin sodium develop severe muscle problems. Myopathy is a possible complication of this therapy, involving muscle dysfunction that leads to progressive muscle weakness. A more dangerous complication is a condition known as rhabdomyolysis, in which muscles begin to break down and leak proteins into the bloodstream. This leakage can cause kidney failure. Call or see your doctor immediately if you develop muscle tenderness or weakness while taking pravastatin sodium, particularly if you have flu-like symptoms or a fever.
Liver Issues
Up to 1.2 percent of participants in premarketing clinical studies developed elevated liver enzymes while taking pravastatin sodium, according to eMedTV. Elevated liver enzymes are an indication of liver dysfunction. More serious liver problems have been reported anecdotally since then, including hepatitis, fatty liver and cirrhosis. Because the reports are uncommon, it is unclear whether pravastatin actually causes the liver issues or if some other factors are involved. Nevertheless, if you have a history of liver disease, your doctor probably will not prescribe pravastatin sodium.
Allergic Reaction
As with any medication, rare allergic reactions have occurred with pravastatin sodium. Signs of an allergic reaction to this medication as listed by PubMed Health include rash, hives, difficulty breathing, trouble swallowing and hoarseness. An allergic reaction also may cause unexplained swelling in the face, mouth, throat, hands, feet or lower legs. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop signs of an allergic reaction while taking pravastatin sodium.
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