Pravastatin Sodium Side Effects

Pravastatin sodium is an enzyme-blocker medication prescribed to lower high cholesterol and triglycerides. Available under the brand Pravachol and in generic form, pravastatin is in the category of drugs known as statins, which inhibit production of cholesterol by the liver. Many side effects are possible.

Common Side Effects

• In clinical studies with pravastatin sodium, as cited by eMedTV, side effects occurring in over 5 percent of participants included the common cold, diarrhea, headache, nausea and vomiting. Less-common side effects included dizziness, fatigue, constipation, gas, heartburn and indigestion.

Muscle Disorders

• As with all statins, pravastatin can cause muscle aches, usually temporary and without more serious symptoms developing. However, these drugs also can cause myopathy, where the muscle fibers lose function and become weak. Statins also are associated with a life-threatening muscle breakdown condition called rhabdomyolysis, which can result in kidney damage.

Liver Issues

• Because pravastatin sodium affects the liver in order to reduce cholesterol production, it can cause liver side effects. Signs are jaundice, dark urine, severe fatigue, abdominal pain and persistent nausea.

Memory Loss

• Very rarely, some people taking pravastatin or another statin drug have experienced memory loss. Since this is so uncommon, researchers have been unable to make a definitive link.

Birth Defects

• Because an unborn baby needs cholesterol for proper development, pregnant women should not take pravastatin, as it could cause birth defects.