Fenofibrate/pravastatin

Fenofibrate/pravastatin, sold under the brand name Pravafenix, is a combination medication for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol levels) in adults whose low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is already being controlled with pravastatin alone but who still need to improve their cholesterol levels and to reduce their levels of triglycerides.[2] It contains fenofibrate and pravastatin.[2] It is taken by mouth.[2]

The most common side effects are abdominal distension (bloating), abdominal pain (stomach ache), constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia (heartburn), eructation (belching), flatulence (gas), nausea (feeling sick), abdominal discomfort, vomiting and raised blood levels of liver enzymes.[2][3]

Fenofibrate is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist.[2] It activates a type of receptor called the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, which is involved in breaking down fat from the diet, especially triglycerides.[2] When the receptors are activated, the breakdown of fats is accelerated, and this helps clear the blood of cholesterol and triglycerides.[2]

Pravastatin belongs to the group called statins.[2] It reduces total blood cholesterol by blocking the action of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme-A (HMG-CoA) reductase, an enzyme in the liver involved in the production of cholesterol.[2] As the liver needs cholesterol to produce bile, the reduced blood cholesterol level causes the liver cells to produce receptors that draw cholesterol from the blood, reducing its level even further.[2] The cholesterol drawn out of the blood in this way is the LDL cholesterol.[2]