Details

Pitavastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Pitavastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). Pitavastatin is used to treat high cholesterol in adults. Lowering your cholesterol may help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease. To make sure pitavastatin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease history of liver disease a thyroid disorder or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily. Do not use pitavastatin if you are pregnant.

Typical Uses

Pitavastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Side Effects

In rare cases, pitavastatin can cause a condition that result in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Common pitavastatin side effects may include confusion, memory problems kidney problems-vomiting, pain in your side or lower back, little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain or liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drug Interactions

• Pitavastatin+clofibrate- Using clofibrate together with pitavastatin can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Pitavastatin+erythromycin- Talk to your doctor before using pitavastatin together with erythromycin. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels of pitavastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.
• Pitavastatin+fenofibrate- Using fenofibrate together with pitavastatin can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.
• Pitavastatin+leflunomide- Leflunomide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as pitavastatin may increase that risk. Because leflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it. You should avoid or limit the use of a

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Mechanism of action

Pitavastatin belongs to a class of medicines called HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statins). It inhibits an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase that is required for the production of cholesterol in the body and thereby reduces the amount of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins-LDL) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins-HDL) in the blood.

Pregnancy Category : X