This article explains how pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet if you’d like more information about these drugs.
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Dosage of pravastatin and atorvastatin
Below is dosage information for the conditions that pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet are prescribed for. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions both drugs are used for, see these articles about pravastatin oral tablet dosage and atorvastatin oral tablet dosage.
Below are dosages provided by the drugmakers of pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Pravastatin oral tablet’s dosage
Below is a summary of pravastatin oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| lower the risk of certain heart problems, including heart attack, in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it | oral tablet | 40–80 mg | once per day |
| treat high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats in adults | oral tablet | 40–80 mg | once per day |
| treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in children ages 8 years and older | oral tablet | 20–40 mg | once per day |
| treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia* in adults | oral tablet | 40–80 mg | once per day |
* Primary dysbetalipoproteinemia is a rare inherited condition that causes high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Atorvastatin oral tablet’s dosage
Below is a summary of atorvastatin oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| lower the risk of certain heart problems, including heart attack, in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it | oral tablet | 10–80 mg | once per day |
| treat high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats in adults | oral tablet | 10–80 mg | once per day |
| treat HeFH in children ages 10 years and older | oral tablet | 10–20 mg | once per day |
| treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia in adults | oral tablet | 10–80 mg | once per day |
Side effects of pravastatin and atorvastatin
Pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet are also listed.
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet. You can also check out these articles about pravastatin oral tablet side effects and atorvastatin oral tablet side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet:
| pravastatin oral tablet | atorvastatin oral tablet | |
| mild muscle pain | ✓ | ✓ |
| nausea | ✓ | ✓ |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| headache | ✓ | |
| mild allergic reaction* | ✓ | ✓ |
* An allergic reaction is possible with pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet. It wasn’t reported in the drugs’ studies for pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet. But allergic reaction has occurred since these drugs were approved for use.
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet:
| pravastatin oral tablet | atorvastatin oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| liver problems, including high liver enzymes | ✓ | ✓ |
| muscle problems, including myopathy | ✓ | ✓ |
| increase in blood sugar level | ✓ | ✓ |
| serious allergic reaction* | ✓ | ✓ |
* An allergic reaction is possible with pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet. It wasn’t reported in the drugs’ studies for pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet. But allergic reaction has occurred since these drugs were approved for use.
For a lot of drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Cost of pravastatin and atorvastatin
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet can vary. Their price may be affected by:
- whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy they’re purchased from
- the quantity you’re prescribed
Coupons and cost savings
To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for pravastatin oral tablet and this coupon page for atorvastatin oral tablet. You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
The options described in this article may also help you save on your prescription.
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Questions about pravastatin and atorvastatin
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet.
Is it safe to take pravastatin and atorvastatin together?
No, it’s not recommended to take pravastatin and atorvastatin together.
Both of these medications are in a group of drugs known as statins. They both help lower cholesterol and reduce certain heart and blood vessel risks. They also have similar side effects. Because pravastatin and atorvastatin are in the same group of drugs and work in a similar way, they should not be taken together.
Your doctor may have a reason to prescribe one statin over another for treating your condition. But in some cases, you may need to switch between statins. This can happen due to certain factors, such as cost or how you respond to the drug.
If you’re switching between statins, you may have a supply of both medications at home. But that doesn’t mean you should take pravastatin and atorvastatin together. If you’re switching, be sure to take your statin as your doctor prescribes.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about which statin is the best choice for you.
Between pravastatin and atorvastatin, is one a better treatment for lowering cholesterol?
Doctors may prescribe either pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet to lower high cholesterol and reduce certain heart risks. In studies, pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet were both effective for this purpose.
That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance, they:
- differ in their potency
- may be tolerated differently
- have different drug interactions
- may be used in different age groups
- may have differences in cost
Keep in mind that your results from taking pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet may differ from those seen in studies.
Your doctor can help determine whether one option is better for your condition. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.
Brand-name versions
Below is information about whether pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet is available in a brand-name version.
Pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet are generic medications. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
Here’s a summary about brand names of pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet:
| pravastatin oral tablet | atorvastatin oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | pravastatin | atorvastatin |
| Brand-name version | not available | Lipitor |
If your doctor prescribed atorvastatin oral tablet, but you’d like to know about taking its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine whether the brand-name version is right for you.
Uses of pravastatin and atorvastatin
Here’s a summary of pravastatin oral tablet’s and atorvastatin oral tablet’s approved uses:
| pravastatin oral tablet | atorvastatin oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | • to lower the risk of certain heart problems, including heart attack, in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it • to treat high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats in adults • to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in adults and children ages 8 years and older • to treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia* in adults | • to lower the risk of certain heart problems, including heart attack, in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it • to lower the risk of heart problems, including heart attack, in certain people with type 2 diabetes • to treat high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats in adults • to treat HeFH in adults and children ages 10 years and older • to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in adults and children ages 10 years and older • to treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia* in adults |
| Prescribed to | adults; children of certain ages for some uses | adults; children of certain ages for some uses |
* Primary dysbetalipoproteinemia is a rare inherited condition that causes high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet is an option to consider.
Warnings for pravastatin and atorvastatin
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet, and others should take either medication with caution.
Warnings for pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet are summarized below. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
| pravastatin oral tablet | atorvastatin oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| sudden liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis | ✓ | ✓ |
| severe muscle problems, including rhabdomyolysis and certain types of myopathy | ✓ | ✓ |
| liver problems, including high liver enzymes | ✓ | ✓ |
| increase in blood sugar level | ✓ | ✓ |
| hemorrhagic stroke | ✓ | |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed | ✓ | ✓ |
If you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs you can view in-depth articles about pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet. You can also view the prescribing information for pravastatin oral tablet and atorvastatin oral tablet.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether pravastatin oral tablet or atorvastatin oral tablet is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Is there a reason why atorvastatin might be better for my condition than pravastatin?
- Do I have any health factors that make atorvastatin or pravastatin a better fit?
- Does pravastatin or atorvastatin interact with any other drugs I’m taking?
- Is it safe to take pravastatin and atorvastatin together?
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.