Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my pravastatin

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your pravastatin using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for pravastatin, Canadian Prescription Savings for pravastatin, pravastatin Drug Coupons, pravastatin Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is pravastatin available in?

Accepted Answer

pravastatin is available as a 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is pravastatin used for?

Accepted Answer

pravastatin is a statin that is used to:  Lower the risk of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack, stroke) in adults at risk for heart problems Lower “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels in certain adults Lower “bad” cholesterol levels in children age 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)

Question 4

How does pravastatin work?

Accepted Answer

pravastatin is a statin. It works by blocking a protein in your liver that makes cholesterol. This lowers the amount of “bad” cholesterol (called low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) in your blood. pravastatin might also help raise your “good” cholesterol (called high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) levels and lower your triglyceride levels. As a result, pravastatin helps lower the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Question 5

How do I take pravastatin?

Accepted Answer

pravastatin is typically taken at dose ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg by mouth once per day. Your provider will change your dose depending on different factors, such as your cholesterol levels, kidney function, side effects that you’re having, or other medications you might be taking.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take pravastatin?

Accepted Answer

pravastatin is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication for the following:

Hypersensitivity to any component of this medication.
Active liver disease or unexplained, persistent elevations of serum transaminases
Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.
Nursing mothers

Question 7

pravastatin Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of pravastatin:  Muscle, joint, or bone pain Upper respiratory infection Chest pain Nausea or vomiting Tiredness Headache

Question 8

pravastatin Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with pravastatin. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis): dark brown urine, severe muscle weakness or pain, fever, tiredness Liver problems: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, confusion, dark or brown urine

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on pravastatin

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with pravastatin:  Concomitant lipid-lowering therapies: use with fibrates or lipid-modifying doses (≥1 g/day) of niacin increases the risk of adverse skeletal muscle effects. Caution should be used when prescribing with pravastatin Cyclosporine: combination increases exposure. Limit pravastatin to 20 mg once daily Clarithromycin: combination increases exposure. Limit pravastatin to 40 mg once daily

Question 10

Who makes pravastatin?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is pravastatin safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

pravastatin may cause harm to your unborn baby. Discontinue pravastatin when pregnancy is recognized.

Question 12

What is the brand name for pravastatin?

Accepted Answer

PRAVACHOL

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my pravastatin prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your pravastatin prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient pravastatin savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient pravastatin savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for pravastatin	Canadian Prescription Savings* for pravastatin	pravastatin Drug Coupon*	pravastatin Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of pravastatin?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for pravastatin	Canadian Prescription Savings* for pravastatin	pravastatin Drug Coupon*	pravastatin Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the pravastatin savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the pravastatin drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for pravastatin, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the pravastatin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, pravastatin is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed pravastatin for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the pravastatin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the pravastatin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for pravastatin

If you are having trouble paying for your pravastatin medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for pravastatin you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
pravastatin is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers pravastatin
If pravastatin is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for pravastatin

If you are having trouble paying for your pravastatin medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for pravastatin you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers pravastatin
If pravastatin is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for pravastatin

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your pravastatin treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for pravastatin you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for pravastatin
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.