Pitavastatin
Pitavastatin
Pitavastatin is an FDA-approved lipid-lowering medication that is primarily used alongside diet and lifestyle modifications to manage high cholesterol levels in adults and children aged six and above. It contains Pitavastatin as its active ingredient, which belongs to a class of drugs called statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It comes in the tablet form and is available in the strengths of 1 mg, 2 mg, and 4 mg. The dosage of the medication depends on the patient’s age, condition and body weight. Pitavastatin should not be taken if you have hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its ingredients, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have liver disease or if you are planning to co-administer Pitavastatin along with cyclosporine. Consult your healthcare practitioner for personalized advice and guidance.
Product Overview
Pitavastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that contains the active ingredient Pitavastatin, which belongs to a class of drugs known as statins. It is primarily used to treat high cholesterol levels (hyperlipidemia) in adults and children aged six years and above, alongside diet and lifestyle modifications. This medication works by stopping HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the production of cholesterol in the body.
Available in oral tablet form, Pitavastatin comes in the strength of 1, 2, and 4 mg. It is typically taken once daily, with or without food. The dosage of Pitavastatin is individualized based on the patient’s age, condition, and body weight, with a maximum recommended dose of 4 mg per day. Patients need to adhere to their prescribed dosage and follow their doctor’s instructions regarding diet and exercise.
Common side effects of Pitavastatin include back pain, diarrhea, constipation, muscle aches, and pain in the arms or legs. Patients should consult their doctor if they experience any severe side effects or signs of muscle or liver problems. Precautions include informing the doctor of any existing health conditions or medications being taken, as well as avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. In case of a missed dose, it should be taken as soon as remembered unless it is close to the time for the next dose. For an overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Pitavastatin should be stored at a controlled room temperature, away from moisture, light and heat, and out of reach of children and pets.
Uses
Targeted Treatment
- Pitavastatin is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to treat high cholesterol in adults and children above age 6.
Benefits
- It reduces the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (also known as ‘bad cholesterol’) in the bloodstream.
- It increases the amount of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (also known as ‘good cholesterol’) in adults.
- It is used in conjunction with diet, weight loss and exercise to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in teenagers and children aged eight years and older who have an inherited condition of heterozygous hypercholesterolemia.
[Note: Do not take Pitavastatin without consulting your doctor. They will determine whether you need this medication based on your conditions.]
Pitavastatin Dosage
Forms & Strengths
Form: Oral Tablet
Strength: 1 mg, 2 mg & 4 mg
Recommended Dosages
For Adults and Children (8 and Older)
- Recommended Dosage Range: 2 to 4 mg, usually taken by mouth once daily. Your doctor will determine the dosage that works best for you based on your age, condition and body weight.
- Maximum Recommended Dose: 4 mg once daily.
For Patients with Renal Impairment
- Recommended Dosage Range: The recommended initial dosage of Pitavastatin for patients with moderate to severe renal impairment is 1 mg once daily to be taken by mouth.
- Starting Dosage (for patients with end-stage renal disease): 1 mg
- Maximum Recommended Dose: 2 mg once daily
[Note: Remember, these recommendations may vary from person to person. Discuss it with your doctor, and they’ll customize your dosage accordingly.]
How to Take It?
- Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet prior to taking Pitavastatin and carefully read the directions for use.
- Pitavastatin is to be taken by mouth once daily. You can take it with or without food.
- Do not break, chew or crush the Pitavastatin tablet. Swallow it whole.
- If you have trouble swallowing the tablet as a whole, tell your doctor or healthcare provider at once. If they recommend, you can cut or crush it.
- The dosage and duration of Pitavastatin depends on your age, condition and body weight.
- To help you remember it and to maintain consistency, try to take the medicine around the same time every day.
- Take Pitavastatin as directed by your doctor.
- The initial dosage of the medication is usually low, but your doctor will gradually increase it.
- In addition to changing the dosage, your doctor may also make changes to your diet, advising you to take a heart-healthy, nutritious, low-calorie diet. Carefully follow the instructions given by your doctor for a safe use of the medication.
- Continue taking the medication even if you feel well.
- You may need to undergo frequent urine and blood tests while you are receiving treatment with Pitavastatin to check for unwelcome side effects.
[Note: Your doctor will decide the right amount for you based on your condition, following guidelines and studies on the drug. They’ll adjust it as needed over time.]
How Does Pitavastatin Work?
Pitavastatin is a lipid-lowering drug that belongs to a group of medications known as statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It improves the function of blood vessels, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and making plaque in arteries more stable. It functions to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood by obstructing an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase, which is required to make cholesterol. Statins help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing cholesterol.
Important Safety Information
Side Effects
Common side effects of Pitavastatin may include:
- Back pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Pain in your arms or legs
- Muscle aches
- Dark urine
Mild side effects of Pitavastatin may include:
- Mild allergic reactions
- Loss of appetites
- Swelling and pain in the joints
- Changes in taste
- Ringing sensation in the ears
Adverse side effects of Pitavastatin may include:
- Myopathies (Muscle problems). Symptoms may include:
- Pain, tenderness and weakness in the muscle
- Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy
- Higher blood sugar levels and increase in HbA1c
- Kidney problems. Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Confused state
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in your feet, ankles or legs
- Nausea
- Reduced urination
- Liver problems. Symptoms may include:
- Jaundice
- Itching
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Pain in the upper right side of your abdomen
- Dark-colored urine
- Dark, tarry or pale-colored stool
- Bruising easily
[Note: Remember, this list may not cover all possible side effects. Always consult with your healthcare giver for medical advice about side effects.]
Warnings
- Pitavastatin can cause muscle tenderness, pain or weakness. It can even lead to rhabdomyolysis, which can further cause kidney failure. Call your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness or pain.
- Pitavastatin may also cause liver problems, which can lead to liver failure. You should not take this medication if you have or currently have a liver problem or if you consume a large amount of alcohol.
- Do not drive, operate heavy machinery or indulge in such activities if you feel dizzy or sleepy after taking Pitavastatin.
- Pitavastatin should be used cautiously in patients who have a liver, kidney or heart-related disease.
- The medication should be used cautiously in patients more than 65 years of age.
- Do not use the medication if you have unexplained muscle pain.
- Pitavastatin is not recommended for children less than six years of age.
- Do not take more than 4 mg of Pitavastatin per day, as it may cause unwanted muscle problems.
- Do not share your medications with others, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Precautions
- Before using Pitavastatin, inform your doctor if you have an allergic reaction to this product, any of its ingredients or any other medicine in the past.
- Using Pitavastatin while you are pregnant may cause harm to the unborn baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you think you may be pregnant or if you are planning a pregnancy.
- It is not recommended to breastfeed a baby while you are taking this medicine as it may pass into your breast milk and cause harm to the infant. You should use an alternative to this medication or stop this medication while breastfeeding.
- Pitavastatin can increase your blood sugar levels. Carefully monitor your blood sugar and share the report with your doctor.
- Immediately call your doctor if your blood sugar levels are high.
- If you are planning to have surgery, let your doctor know about all the medications you are using. This includes all prescription, over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements you are taking.
- Do not take large amounts of alcohol while you are taking Pitavastatin, as it may cause unwanted side effects.
- You may need to undergo frequent urine and blood tests while you are receiving treatment with Pitavastatin to check for unwelcome side effects.
- You should make regular visits to your doctor to check your progress and to help your healthcare provider or doctor determine if the medicine is working properly and if you should continue taking it.
- Do not take other medications alongside Pitavastatin without consulting your doctor, as it may lead to adverse side effects.
Contraindications
Before taking Pitavastatin, inform your doctor if you:
- Have problems in the thyroid gland
- Are taking cyclosporine
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are alcoholic
- Have a personal or family history of muscle problems.
- Have diabetes
- Are overweight
Missed Dose
- If you missed a dose of the medication, take it as soon as you remember.
- However, if it is almost time for you to take the next dose of Pitavastatin, you can skip the missed dosage and take the next dosage as per your dosing schedule.
- Do not take double or extra doses of the same medication simultaneously to compensate for the missed dose, as this could lead to fatal side effects.
- To further avoid missing a dose of Pitavastatin, try setting a reminder on your phone.
[Note: If you have missed a dose of your medication and are unsure about when to take the next one, immediately consult your doctor or pharmacist.]
Overdose
It is crucial not to take Pitavastatin more or less than prescribed. You should also not take it more frequently or for longer than recommended. Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you or someone else has accidentally taken the medication more than prescribed, seek immediate mediation attention. Symptoms of an overdose of Pitavastatin include severe pain in the stomach, diarrhea, vomiting and pain and weakness in the muscles. If someone has overdosed on the medication and is showing adverse symptoms such as passing out, seizures, trouble breathing, or if they can’t be woken up, immediately call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room.
[Note: If you consumed more than the recommended dose, get medical help right away or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.]
Storage
- You can store Pitavastatin in its original container at an average room temperature away from direct sunlight, excess heat and moisture.
- Do not keep the medication in the bathroom.
- The recommended room temperature range is between 59°F and 86°F or 15°C and 30°C.
- Do not freeze your medicine.
- Do not keep medicines that are outdated or no longer needed.
- Keep all medicines in a safe place, away from the sight and reach of children and pets.
- Do not flush the medication unless instructed to do so.
- Do not throw the medicine in wastewater or down the drain.
- Properly dispose of expired or unrequired medicines.
- You can wrap the medicine in tissue paper or toilet paper and throw it in your household garbage bin.
[Note: Discuss with your healthcare professional about the proper disposal of any unused medicine and any questions you may have regarding its storage.]
Pitavastatin Interactions
- Alcohol
- Antibiotics such as:
- Clarithromycin
- Erythromycin
- Blood thinners such as Warfarin
- Cholesterol drugs such as:
- Fenofibrate
- Gemfibrozil
- Niacin
- Drugs used to treat Hepatitis C infection such as:
- Pibrentasvir
- Glecaprevir
- medicines used to treat tuberculosis, such as Rifampin
- Fusidic acid
- Gout drugs such as Colchicine
- Immunosuppressant drugs such as cyclosporine
- Medicines used for treating HIV infection, such as:
- Lopinavir
- Ritonavir
- Atazanavir
- Darunavir
- Efavirenz
[Note: This isn’t a complete list, and there could be other drugs that interact with Pitavastatin. Make sure to tell your doctor about any prescription, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products you’re taking.]
Pitavastatin Alternatives
- Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium)
- Lipitor (atorvastatin)
- Repatha
- Zetia (ezetimibe)
- Evolocumab
- Pravastatin
- Zocor (simvastatin)
- Tricor (fenofibrate)
- Leqvio (inclisiran)
[Note: Your doctor will choose what’s best for you. Don’t use any of these alternative medications without consulting your healthcare provider. Taking them by yourself may cause serious side effects.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pitavastatin interact with other medications?
Pitavastatin can interact with various medications, including certain antibiotics, blood thinners, cholesterol drugs, and medications used to treat Hepatitis C and HIV infections. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider or doctor about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking to prevent potential interactions.
Who should not take Pitavastatin?
Pitavastatin should not be taken by individuals who have a known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its ingredients, those with active liver disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and patients taking the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine. It is important to consult your doctor prior to starting Pitavastatin to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your condition.
What are the common side effects of Pitavastatin?
Common side effects of Pitavastatin include back pain, diarrhea, constipation, muscle aches, and pain in the arms or legs. While most side effects are mild and temporary, it is important to contact a healthcare professional if you experience severe side effects or symptoms of muscle or liver problems, such as unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness, pain, jaundice, or dark urine.
How should Pitavastatin be taken?
Pitavastatin is usually taken once daily, with or without food. The duration and dosage of the medicine are determined by a physician or healthcare professional based on the patient’s age, condition, and weight. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and not to adjust the dosage without consulting a doctor or healthcare professional. In addition to taking Pitavastatin, patients are advised to follow a cholesterol-lowering diet, engage in regular physical activity, and make lifestyle changes as recommended by their healthcare provider.
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