pravastatin

Definition of pravastatin sodium

pravastatin sodium

(PRA-vuh-sta-tin SOH-dee-um)
A drug used to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood and to prevent stroke and heart attack. It is also being studied in the treatment of cancer and other conditions. Pravastatin sodium blocks an enzyme that helps make cholesterol in the body. It may also make tumor cells more sensitive to anticancer drugs. It is a type of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, a type of statin, and a type of chemosensitizer. Pravastatin is the active ingredient of pravastatin sodium. Also called Pravachol.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms