From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Take orally once daily at any time of the day, with or without food (2.1) The optimal time of day to take pravastatin is any time of the day.
- The drug label states that it can be taken with or without food, at any time of the day.
- Although one of the labels mentions that systemic bioavailability of pravastatin administered following a bedtime dose was decreased 60% compared to that following an AM dose, it also notes that the efficacy of pravastatin administered once daily in the evening was marginally more effective than that after a morning dose, but this difference was not statistically significant 1, 1.
From the Research
The best time to take pravastatin is in the evening, preferably before bedtime. Here's what you need to know:
- Take one dose of pravastatin orally each day.
- Aim to take it at the same time every evening for consistency.
- You can take pravastatin with or without food.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Taking pravastatin in the evening is recommended because the body produces most of its cholesterol at night. Statins work by blocking an enzyme involved in cholesterol production, so taking the medication in the evening allows it to be most effective when cholesterol synthesis is at its peak. This timing helps maximize the drug's cholesterol-lowering effects. According to a study published in the Journal of experimental pharmacology 2, the antioxidant profile of pravastatin is better when the drug is administered in the evening rather than in the morning. Although other studies, such as the one published in AIDS (London, England) 3, do not specifically address the optimal time of day to take pravastatin, they do demonstrate the efficacy of pravastatin in reducing cholesterol levels and improving cardiovascular outcomes.
It's worth noting that while the evidence suggests evening administration is preferred, pravastatin can be taken at any time of day if evening dosing is inconvenient. However, evening administration is still preferred for optimal results, as it allows the medication to work in tandem with the body's natural cholesterol production cycle, which peaks at night. This is supported by the fact that cholesterol synthesis is highest at night, and taking statins like pravastatin in the evening can help maximize their cholesterol-lowering effects, as seen in studies such as the one published in the American journal of cardiology 4.