Pravachol Dosage

The recommended Pravachol dosage for those who are first starting the medication is 40 mg once daily. Depending on whether your cholesterol goal is achieved within the next few weeks -- or if side effects occur -- your healthcare provider may choose to alter your Pravachol dosing accordingly. The suggested starting dosage for children ages 8 to 13 with high cholesterol is 20 mg once a day. For children ages 14 to 18, the recommended starting dosage is 40 mg once daily.

 

Pravachol Dosing: An Introduction

The dosage of Pravachol® (pravastatin sodium) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition you are being treated for
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking (see Pravachol Drug Interactions)
  • Your cholesterol goal.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your Pravachol dose unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider to do so.
 

Pravachol Dosage for High Cholesterol

The recommended starting dosage of Pravachol for most people with
 high cholesterol is Pravachol 40 mg once a day, taken at any time during the day.
 
After several weeks, your healthcare provider will recommend that you return to recheck your cholesterol levels. If you have not reached your cholesterol goal at this time, your healthcare provider may choose to increase your Pravachol dosage. The dosage can also be decreased if Pravachol side effects occur. The average daily dosage is Pravachol 10 mg to Pravachol 80 mg. The maximum recommended daily dose of Pravachol is 80 mg.
 
If you are over 65 years of age, taking cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®) or danazol (Danocrine®), or have severe kidney or liver disease, your healthcare provider may choose to start you on a lower dose of Pravachol medication, such as Pravachol 10 mg daily.
 
(Pravachol Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;