Compare Niaspan vs. pravastatin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers cholesterol.
Niaspan (Niacin) lowers triglycerides, but isn't as good as statins for improving cholesterol levels.
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3.2/ 5 average rating with 380 reviewsforNiaspan
Lowers cholesterol.
Pravachol (pravastatin) can improve cholesterol, but it's not as strong as other statin medicines. It does cause fewer side effects and is safer for your kidneys and liver.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 426 reviewsforpravastatin
Upsides
- Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) in people who have trouble doing this through diet and exercise.
- Good for lowering triglycerides (fats).
- Compared to other statins, Pravachol (pravastatin) has fewer interactions with medicines.
- Pravachol (pravastatin) is less likely to cause muscle and kidney damage than other statin medicines.
- If you have liver problems, Pravachol (pravastatin) is the safest statin to use.
- It's available as a generic.
Downsides
- By itself, Niaspan (Niacin) isn't as effective as statins for improving cholesterol levels.
- It can cause flushing and stomach pain or discomfort.
- You need to take it before bedtime with a low-fat snack.
- If you miss doses often, you may need to re-start taking the medicine more regularly at a lower dose.
- Pravachol (pravastatin) isn't as strong as other statins in lowering your cholesterol.
- You'll still need to eat a low fat diet and exercise regularly to get the full benefit of Pravachol (pravastatin).
Used for
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides (fats)
- Prevention of repeat heart attacks in people with high cholesterol
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$24.92
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Reviews
380 reviews so far
43%
saidit'sworth it
31%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Niaspan (Niacin)?
Leave a review426 reviews so far
54%
saidit'sworth it
44%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Pravachol (pravastatin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
6possible side effects
- Flushing68%
- Itching8%
- Diarrhea7%
- Nausea5%
- Rash5%
- Cough increased3%
20possible side effects
- Muscle, joint or ligament/tendon pain10%
- Nausea, vomiting7%
- Diarrhea7%
- Headache6%
- Upper respiratory infection6%
- Chest pain5%
- Rash5%
- Dizziness4%
- Stuffy nose4%
- Muscle damage4%
- Flatulence3%
- Indigestion, heartburn3%
- Fatigue3%
- Cough3%
- Increased liver enzymes3%
- Abdominal swelling2%
- Influenza2%
- Muscle pain2%
- Sore throat2%
- Bile duct disease2%
Risks and risk factors
- Muscle pain
- Taking Niaspan (Niacin) with statins
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- Past history of liver disease
- High blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Low platelets
- Taking Niaspan (Niacin) with anticoagulants
- Gout
- Gout
- Muscle damage
- Kidney disease
- An underactive thyroid
- Over age 65
- Female gender
- Taking other medicines to lower your cholesterol
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- History of chronic liver disease
- Harm to fetus
- Pregnancy
- Breast feeding
- Endocrine function
- Spironolactone use
- Cimetidine use
- Ketoconazole use