People taking common cholesterol medication pravastatin advised by NHS over late-night symptom

People taking common cholesterol medication pravastatin advised by NHS over late-night symptom You may not even realise it's your medication that's causing it The NHS has advice for anyone with high cholesterol who takes certain medication. On a page about pravastatin, which was last reviewed on July 29, 2026, it explains that this is a medication called a statin, which is used to treat high cholesterol and prevent heart attacks and strokes. It's only available with a prescription. The NHS stresses that having high cholesterol can "cause problems with your heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease)". But if you are taking this medicine, you need to be aware of sleep issues that could creep up at night. What are the side effects of pravastatin? Like all medicines, pravastatin - pronounced pra-va-sta-tin - can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Some common issues people may experience include sleep problems - a side effect many people may not connect the dots to, assuming they’ve simply had a bad night’s sleep. Other common side effects of pravastatin include: - headache - dizziness - feeling sick (nausea) - digestive problems, such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion or farting - muscle aches Pravastatin does not usually affect your ability to drive, cycle or operate machinery, but if you feel dizzy after taking it, wait until the dizziness has passed, the NHS suggests. It asks that people speak to a pharmacist or doctor if they have any side effects that bother them or do not go away. They may be able to advise you on ways to reduce the side effects. Keep taking your medicine unless you’re told to stop. Pravastatin can sometimes cause serious side effects, though most are rare. Possible serious side effects of pravastatin include: - inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), which can cause yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes – yellowed skin may be less noticeable if you have brown or black skin - inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis), which can cause severe stomach pain - inflammation and damage to the muscles, which can cause muscle cramps, severe pain and weakness – you may also have other symptoms such as a high temperature and red or brown pee - an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can cause symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing You should call 999 if you're taking pravastatin and think you might be having anaphylaxis. If you think you're having any other serious side effect, call NHS 111. These are not all the side effects of pravastatin. For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website. You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website 'Do not' do this How much you take depends on why you’re taking it. Your doctor may start you on a low dose, then increase it after four weeks if needed. Always read the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. If you’re unsure how to take it, or you have problems taking it, ask a pharmacist or doctor. The NHS warns: "Keep taking this medicine, unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you stop taking pravastatin, your cholesterol levels may go up again." It adds that if you forget a dose of pravastatin, skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose. Taking an extra dose of pravastatin is unlikely to cause problems, but it's important to get medical advice if you take too much. This is because it can sometimes be dangerous. In this case, you should speak to a pharmacist as soon as possible. If you're unable to speak to a pharmacist, or you took too much of your medicine on purpose, call NHS 111 for advice. The health service advises: "If you're told to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Bring the pravastatin packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take." Do you have this condition? The Cleveland Clinic notes that your doctor may need to know if you have any of these conditions: - Diabetes - Frequently drink alcohol - Kidney disease - Liver disease - Muscle pain or cramps - Thyroid disease - An unusual or allergic reaction to pravastatin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives - Pregnant or trying to get pregnant - Breastfeeding The Clinic adds: "Taking pravastatin may help you manage your high cholesterol. But it’s still important to exercise and eat healthy foods."