Compare pravastatin vs. Zetia
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
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
Lowers cholesterol.
Zetia (ezetimibe) can improve your cholesterol and can be used as an alternative to statins.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 128 reviewsforZetia
Upsides
- 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.
- Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) in people who have trouble doing this through diet and exercise.
- Can be used with other medicines to improve cholesterol.
- Available in a combination pill with simvastatin.
- Available as a generic.
Downsides
- 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).
- Doesn't lower triglycerides (fats).
- Hasn't been shown to lower the risk of heart attacks or heart disease.
- By itself, it isn't as effective as statins for improving cholesterol.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$176.42
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$23.88
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Reviews
426 reviews so far
54%
saidit'sworth it
44%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Pravachol (pravastatin)?
Leave a review128 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
34%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zetia (ezetimibe)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
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%
12possible side effects
- Diarrhea4%
- Common cold4%
- Sore throat4%
- Sinus infection3%
- Joint pain3%
- Pain in arms and legs3%
- Muscle pain3%
- Abnormal liver tests3%
- Fatigue2%
- Flu2%
- Back pain2%
- Gallbladder removal2%
Risks and risk factors
- 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
- Harm to fetus
- Muscle pain
- Taking Zetia (ezetimibe) with statins
- Abnormal liver blood tests
- Past history of liver disease
- Taking Zetia (ezetimibe) with statins