Health Information

Pravastatin

Drug Information

Pravastatin is a member of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor family of drugs, also called “statins,” such as Reference lovastatin and Reference simvastatin. Pravastatin blocks a key step in the body’s production of cholesterol and is used to lower cholesterol levels in people with Reference high cholesterol.

Common brand names:

Pravachol

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods

Reference What Are Nutrient Interactions

Types of interactions: Beneficial Adverse Check

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

none

Reduce Side Effects

Reference Milk Thistle

One of the possible side effects of pravastatin is liver toxicity. Although no clinical studies substantiate its use with pravastatin, a milk thistle extract standardized to 70–80% silymarin may reduce the potential liver toxicity of pravastatin. The suggested use is 200 mg of the extract three times daily.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Reference Vitamin D

In a preliminary trial, supplementation with vitamin D appeared to prevent muscle-related side effects in patients taking statin drugs.¹ The amount of vitamin D used in this study was very large (up to 50,000 IU twice a week) and potentially toxic. People taking statin drugs should consult with their doctor regarding how much vitamin D can be taken.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Support Medicine

Reference Fish Oil

The omega-3 fatty acid EPA present in fish oil may improve the Reference cholesterol and Reference triglyceride-lowering effect of pravastatin. In a preliminary trial, people with high cholesterol who had been taking pravastatin for about three years were able to significantly lower their triglyceride levels and raise their levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol by supplementing with either 900 mg or 1,800 mg of EPA for three months in addition to pravastatin.² The authors of the study concluded that the combination of pravastatin and EPA may prevent coronary heart disease better than pravastatin alone.
Reference Psyllium

In one study, the addition of psyllium (10 grams per day) enhanced the cholesterol-lowering effect of lovastatin³.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Sitostanol

A synthetic molecule related to Reference beta-sitosterol, sitostanol, is available in a special margarine and has been shown to Reference lower cholesterol levels. In one study, supplementing with 1.8 grams of sitostanol per day for six weeks enhanced the cholesterol-lowering effect of various statin drugs.⁴

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Reduces Effectiveness

none

Potential Negative Interaction

Reference Antioxidants

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Reference Red Yeast Rice

Reference Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureas)

A supplement containing red yeast rice (Monascus purpureas) (Cholestin) has been shown to effectively Reference lower cholesterol and Reference triglycerides in people with moderately elevated levels of these blood lipids.⁵ This extract contains small amounts of naturally occurring HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as lovastatin and should not be used by people who are currently taking a statin medication.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Explanation Required

Reference Vitamin A

A study of 37 people with high cholesterol treated with diet and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors found serum vitamin A levels increased over two years of therapy.⁶ It remains unclear whether this moderate increase suggests that people taking lovastatin have a particular need to restrict vitamin A supplementation.
Reference Vitamin B3

Niacin is a vitamin used to lower cholesterol. Sixteen people with Reference diabetes and high cholesterol were given pravastatin plus niacin to lower cholesterol.⁷ Niacin was added over a two week period, to a maximum amount of 500 mg three times per day. The combination of pravastatin plus niacin was continued for four weeks. Compared with pravastatin, niacin plus pravastatin resulted in significantly reduced cholesterol levels. Others have also shown that the combination of pravastatin and niacin is more effective in lowering cholesterol levels than is pravastatin alone.⁸ However, large amounts of niacin taken with pravastatin might cause serious muscle disorders (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis).⁹ Individuals taking pravastatin should consult a doctor before taking niacin.
Reference Coenzyme Q10

In double-blind trials, treatment with pravastatin and other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors has resulted in depleted blood levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).¹⁰ ^{, 11} Supplementation with 90–100 mg CoQ10 per day has been shown to prevent reductions in blood levels of CoQ10 due to Reference simvastatin, another drug in the same category as pravastatin.¹² ^{, 13} In a preliminary study, supplementation with 100 mg of CoQ10 per day reduced the severity of muscle pain by 40% in people with muscle pain caused by a statin drug.¹⁴

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

References

1. Glueck CJ, Budhani SB, Masineni SS, et al. Vitamin D deficiency, myositis-myalgia, and reversible statin intolerance. Curr Med Res Opin 2011;27:1683–90.

2. Nakamura N, Hamazaki T, Ohta M, et al. Joint effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and eicosapentaenoic acids on serum lipid profile and plasma fatty acid concentrations in patients with hyperlipidemia. Int J Clin Lab Res 1999;29:22–5.

3. REF:Agrawal AR, Tandon M, Sharma PL. Effect of combining viscous fibre with lovastatin on serum lipids in normal human subjects. Int J Clin Pract 2007;61:1812-8.

4. Goldberg AC, Ostlund RE Jr, Bateman JH, et al. Effect of plant stanol tablets on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering in patients on statin drugs. Am J Cardiol2006;97:376–9.

5. Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. Am J Clin Nutr1999;69:231–6.

6. Muggeo M, Zenti MG, Travia D, et al. Serum retinol levels throughout two years of cholesterol-lowering therapy. Metabolism 1995;44:398–403.

7. Gardner SF, Marx MA, White LM, et al. Combination of low-dose niacin and pravastatin improves the lipid profile in diabetic patients without compromising glycemic control. Ann Pharmacother 1997;31:677–82.

8. O’Keefe JH Jr, Harris WS, Nelson J, Windsor SL. Effects of pravastatin with niacin or magnesium on lipid levels and postprandial lipemia. Am J Cardiol 1995;76:480–4.

9. Garnett WR. Interactions with hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1995;52:1639–45.

10. Mortensen SA, Leth A, Agner E, Rohde M. Dose-related decrease of serum coenzyme Q10 during treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med 1997;18(suppl):S137–44.

11. Ghirlanda G, Oradei A, Manto A, et al. Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Pharmacol 1993;33:226–9.

12. Bargossi AM, Grossi G, Fiorella PL, et al. Exogenous CoQ10 supplementation prevents plasma ubiquinone reduction induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Molec Aspects Med 1994;15(suppl):s187–93.

13. Miyake Y, Shouzu A, Nishikawa M, et al. Effect of treatment with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors on serum coenzyme Q10 in diabetic patients. Arzneimittelforschung 1999;49:324–9.

14. Caso G, Kelly P, McNurlan MA, Lawson WE. Effect of coenzyme Q10 on myopathic symptoms in patients treated with statins. Am J Cardiol 2007;99:1409–12.

Last Review: 11-07-2012

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2013.

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