Pravastatin

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
Pravastatin, a class I statin.

Pravastatin, or pravastatina (Spanish), pravastatin sodium, pravastatine (French) or pravastatinum (Latin), is a class I statin used to treat hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) and prevent heart attacks and stroke and diminish athlerosclosis. It is similar in structure and function to the other class I statins mevastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin. It is an antilipemic fungal metabolite isolated from Nocardia autotrophica. It is a competitive hydroxymethylglutaryl COA reductase (HMG CoA reductase) inhibitor. Unlike lovastatin and simvastatin, it is an active compound without prior hydrolysis due to its increased hydrophilicity. Inhibition of HNG CoA reductases results in increased clearance of circulating LDL. Pravastatin also inhibits hepatic synthesis of VLDL, the precursor for LDL, reducing circulating cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

Its IUPAC chemical name is (3R,5R)-7-[(1S,2S,6S,8S,8aR)-6-hydroxy-2-methyl-8-[(2S)-2-methylbutanoyl]oxy-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-3,5-dihydroxyheptanoic acid and its chemical formula is C₂₃H₃₆O₇.

brand names

• Compactin
• Elisor
• Lipostat
• Mevalotin
• Mevastatin
• Mevinolin
• Oliprevin
• Pravachol
• Pravaselect
• Selectin
• Selipran
• Vasten