Pitavastatin (By mouth)

pi-tav-a-STAT-in

Lowers high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This medicine is a statin.

Drug classes

Antihyperlipidemic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Pitavastatin is used together with a proper diet to treat high cholesterol levels and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood. This medicine may help prevent medical problems (e.g., heart attacks, strokes) that are caused by fat clogging the blood vessels.

Pitavastatin belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. It works to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood by blocking an enzyme that is needed to make cholesterol.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Missed dose:Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use this medicine together with cyclosporine.

Some foods and medicines can affect how pitavastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using colchicine, erythromycin, niacin, rifampin, medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, other medicine to lower cholesterol (such as fenofibrate, gemfibrozil), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin).

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you had an allergic reaction to pitavastatin, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have active liver disease.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or if you drink alcohol regularly.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Myopathy or rhabdomyolysis (muscle damage) that could lead to kidney damage

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you use this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery, a major injury, or other serious health problems.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

Unusual tiredness or fever

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Livalo

There may be other brand names for this medicine.