Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Does Pravastatin Cause Loss Of Memory?
Yes thank you - my husband has had his aortic valve replaced 3 yrs ago and has been on Pravastatin for that long. Recently he has been having very alarming memory loss problems and I wonder if I can safely stop the drug as my brother in Canada, a friend of his as well as a woman friend of mine are all experiencing the same thing and have stopped taking the drug with good results. Is it safe to stop it in my husband s case?
Thu, 26 May 2016
Hi there,
Pravastatin is a cholesterol medicine as you probably know and it is useful especially in people who have had a heart attack, stroke or blockage in their heart. It also can be good for decreasing the risk of heart attack and strokes before they happen. A lot of people complain that these types of medicines cause side effects like muscle aches and pains but some people report all sorts of problems and it's hard to tell if it's actually from the medicine. In your husband's case, the memory issues are more likely related to other issues besides the medicine. If he has had a heart attack, stroke or a blockage in a blood vessel he really should be on this medicine or another one like it. If he has only had the valve replacement it is possible that he could stop it. I would check with his doctor on this as you don't want to put him in danger.
Sincerely,
Dr D
Pravastatin is a cholesterol medicine as you probably know and it is useful especially in people who have had a heart attack, stroke or blockage in their heart. It also can be good for decreasing the risk of heart attack and strokes before they happen. A lot of people complain that these types of medicines cause side effects like muscle aches and pains but some people report all sorts of problems and it's hard to tell if it's actually from the medicine. In your husband's case, the memory issues are more likely related to other issues besides the medicine. If he has had a heart attack, stroke or a blockage in a blood vessel he really should be on this medicine or another one like it. If he has only had the valve replacement it is possible that he could stop it. I would check with his doctor on this as you don't want to put him in danger.
Sincerely,
Dr D
I find this answer helpful
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....