Which medication represents a moderate-intensity statin dose?

Pravastatin 40 mg daily is considered a moderate-intensity statin dose because it effectively lowers LDL cholesterol levels by approximately 30% to 50%, which aligns with the criteria set forth by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association regarding the classification of statin therapy intensity.

Moderate-intensity statin therapy typically includes dosing regimens that yield a 30% to 49% reduction in LDL cholesterol. Pravastatin at this dosage falls within this range, thereby fulfilling the requirement for moderate-intensity classification. On the other hand, other medications listed either do not qualify as moderate-intensity or have different dosing recommendations that align with either low- or high-intensity statin therapy. For instance, Atorvastatin at 40 mg is classified as high-intensity therapy since it can achieve greater than 50% LDL reduction.

Understanding the classification of statins based on their intensity is crucial for optimizing cholesterol management and individualizing patient therapy in cardiovascular risk reduction strategies.