Pravachol and Depression

It is possible that you may develop some side effects while taking Pravachol, and depression is a rare but possible side effect that occurs in less than 1 percent of patients. Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, guilt, fatigue, and restlessness. Because depression is relatively common in the general population, it is difficult to determine whether the condition is actually a side effect of Pravachol or caused by another factor.

 

Is a Pravachol Side Effect Depression?

There are many possible side effects for people taking Pravachol® (pravastatin sodium). One rare Pravachol side effect is depression, which occurs in less than 1 percent of people who are on Pravachol. Given how infrequently depression occurs in people taking Pravachol, it is difficult to say whether depression is actually caused by the medicine or something else. This is especially true because in any given one-year period, 9.5 percent of the population (about 18.8 million American adults) has depression.
 

Pravachol and Depression: What to Look For

Possible
 symptoms of depression may include:
 
  • Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
  • Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
  • Decreased energy; fatigue; feeling "slowed down"
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
  • Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
  • Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
  • Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
  • Restlessness and irritability
  • Persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain, that do not respond to treatment.
     
Keep in mind that there are other conditions that can share similar symptoms with depression. If you experience any of these possible symptoms of depression while taking Pravachol, you should visit your healthcare provider so the problem can be diagnosed and treated.
 
(Pravachol and Depression Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;