Pravachol and Joint Pain

There are a number of potential side effects that may occur with Pravachol, and joint pain is one of them. This side effect occurs in more than 1 percent of patients taking the cholesterol drug. Many patients are able to find short-term relief of joint pain by using over-the-counter pain relief medications, moist heat (such as a warm bath), dry heat (such as a heating pad), or cold packs. If joint pain does not subside after the first couple of months, your healthcare provider may choose to adjust your dosage or switch to another cholesterol medicine.

 

Pravachol and Joint Pain: An Overview

Joint pain is a rare but possible side effect of Pravachol® (pravastatin sodium). For people taking Pravachol, joint pain happens in more than 1 percent of people.
 

Pravachol and Joint Pain: Suggestions

If you are taking Pravachol and joint pain is a problem, there are some things that you can try.
 These short-term relief suggestions include medications and heat/cold remedies.
 
Medications
Patients who take Pravachol and experience joint pain often benefit from using over-the-counter pain relief medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®).
 
Heat/Cold Remedies
Moist heat (such as a warm bath or shower) or dry heat (such as a heating pad) placed on the painful area of the joint for about 15 minutes may relieve joint pain. In some cases, cold packs (a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel) can relieve pain or numb the sore area. If you have poor circulation, do not use cold packs. Water therapy in a heated pool or whirlpool also may relieve joint pain and stiffness.
 
(Pravachol and Joint Pain Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;