“Pravastatin side effects?”

You should not stop taking it. Monitor for itchy Skin. Discontinue only if itchiness gets worse and all over the body. Best, Alex Kagzanov, PharmD. Supervising Pharmacist UrgentRx Pharmacy Phone: (718) 570-3360 Fax: (718) 228-3845

You can. It's unusual, but if it happens it you need to talk to your doctor about the side effects. You should also bring it up to a pharmacist at the pharmacy that dispensed it to you so they can ask detailed questions to help determine if it's pravastatin or something else. If you have any rash or hives appearing and you think it's due to the pravastatin it's okay to not take it if you can't get hold of your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Call them as soon as they're available, though, as pravastatin is a drug that can help keep you out of the hospital and alive longer and if you need a statin they need to find one that works for you.

If you have hives, swelling, the itching worsens, and especially if you have any signs or symptoms that involve your heart rate, swelling around the lips/tongue/nose/throat/face, or your breathing changes, you should treat that as an emergency. It's not likely but if it happens take it seriously and go to the emergency room or call an ambulance immediately.

Yes, pravastatin can cause itchy skin by causing dry skin. Apply a good moisturizer like Aveeno, Cetaphil or Aquaphor. If the itching turns into a rash or gets a lot worse, consult with your doctor; you may be having an allergic reaction

Itchy skin is not one of the commonly reported reactions when starting Pravastatin. However, each individual reacts differently to medications with the exception of the common one. This particular reaction should go away in a few days, so it's advisable to continue.

Pruritis isn’t typically a side effect seen with statin drugs. More common side effects are leg cramps and muscle pains. It is typically recommended to take any statins at night, as most people are able to sleep through the leg pain. If any of those symptoms are present I’d suggest talking to your physician about a medication change to another statin such as Crestor, or switching away from statins all together and taking Zetia. If you remain on a statin then taking an over the counter supplement such as CoQ10 can help ease those symptoms. As far as the itchiness is concerned, I would give it some more type and see if it subsides, if after a few weeks it hasn’t subsided then I’d recommend a trial period of not taking it and see if it subsides, then restart it. If it comes back then you could be confident knowing that it was the pravastatin causing the itching. For now, while it continues, you could take OTC Zyrtec or Benedryl.

It is possible to get a skin rash as a mild side effect, and that may cause the itching. Or you may have a very mild allergic reaction. I would advise you to let your doctor know. It is possible to switch to another statin drug and ideally that would have no side effects for you.

It’s possible you are allergic to pravastatin, but it could also have just been a coincidence that you started to have itchiness and started it the same day. I would say give it a few days; if you are still itchy, then contact your prescriber to switch to an alternative statin.

Is it just itchy or is there a rash also? If there is a rash, stop taking and call your Dr. If just itching, I would continue it, but call your Dr and let them know. If you have any muscle weakness stop taking it and call your Dr.