What is pitavastatin?
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.
Pitavastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about pitavastatin?
You should not take pitavastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease or severe kidney disease. You should not take pitavastatin if you are also taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) or lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra).
Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Before taking pitavastatin, tell your doctor if you have a thyroid disorder, if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.
In rare cases, pitavastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Pitavastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.
Pitavastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pitavastatin?
You should not take pitavastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease or severe kidney disease. You should not take pitavastatin if you are also taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) or lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:
In rare cases, pitavastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:
gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide); or
medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take pitavastatin if you are pregnant.Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking pitavastatin.
It is not known whether pitavastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.