This article describes possible interactions with pravastatin oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.
Other drugs and pravastatin
The drugs in the list below may interact with pravastatin oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with pravastatin.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with pravastatin oral tablet include:
- bile acid sequestrants:
- drug examples: cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid)
- what might happen: can make pravastatin less effective
- fibrates:
- drug examples: gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor, others)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pravastatin and the fibrate drug
- macrolide antibiotics:
- drug examples: clarithromycin, erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-tab)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pravastatin
- cobicistat and treatments that contain it:
- bempedoic acid (Nexletol):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pravastatin
- colchicine (Colcrys, others):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pravastatin
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pravastatin
- glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyret):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pravastatin
- niacin (Niacor):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pravastatin
- lanthanum (Fosrenol):
- what might happen: can make pravastatin less effective
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Get free cardHealth factors and pravastatin
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with pravastatin oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking pravastatin, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll discuss any warnings and precautions and determine whether pravastatin is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with pravastatin oral tablet:
- underactive thyroid
- kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease
- type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to pravastatin
- liver conditions,* such as alcohol-related liver disease
* You should not take pravastatin if you have certain liver conditions. See the “When to avoid pravastatin” section below to learn more.
When to avoid pravastatin
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with pravastatin oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe pravastatin in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for pravastatin oral tablet:
- Sudden liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis. If you have decompensated cirrhosis (advanced liver disease) or sudden liver failure, taking pravastatin oral tablet may worsen your liver condition.
- Past allergic reaction to pravastatin. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to pravastatin oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking pravastatin, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take the drug.
Alcohol and pravastatin
Pravastatin oral tablet is not known to have interactions with alcohol.
However, both pravastatin and alcohol can cause liver-related side effects, including liver damage. Regularly consuming alcohol, especially in high amounts, may increase your risk of liver damage and other liver problems while taking pravastatin.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking pravastatin oral tablet.
Other interactions and pravastatin
Interactions can occur with foods, supplements, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether pravastatin oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with pravastatin.
Pravastatin and food interactions
Pravastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Note that pravastatin can interact with red yeast rice supplements. But the drug isn’t expected to interact with red yeast rice as a food. For more details, see the “Pravastatin and supplements” section below.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking pravastatin oral tablet.
Pravastatin and supplements
Before taking pravastatin oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Pravastatin may interact with red yeast rice supplements. Red yeast rice supplements may be used to help lower cholesterol.
Taking pravastatin and red yeast rice supplements can increase the risk of serious side effects. These include muscle-related side effects, such as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pravastatin interactions with herbs
Pravastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking pravastatin oral tablet.
Pravastatin interactions with vitamins
Pravastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any vitamins while taking pravastatin oral tablet.
Pravastatin and vaccines
Pravastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking pravastatin oral tablet.
Pravastatin and lab tests
Pravastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking pravastatin oral tablet.
Pravastatin and cannabis or CBD
Pravastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with pravastatin.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Preventing pravastatin interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with pravastatin oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking pravastatin oral tablet.
Taking pravastatin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about pravastatin and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- How do pravastatin interactions compare with other statins, such as atorvastatin?
- Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of pravastatin?
- Could I still take pravastatin even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
- Should I let you know if I make lifestyle changes, such as to my diet or exercise routine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.