Pitavastatin
About
Pitavastatin belongs to the class of medicines called 'statins' or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors primarily used to lower bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Additionally, Pitavastatin reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in future. High cholesterol known as hyperlipidaemia or dyslipidaemia occurs when there is an excess of the unhealthy balance of cholesterol in the blood. When the cholesterol level is high in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged, contributing to heart diseases, like stroke and heart attack. Two cholesterol types are found in our body, namely, good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). Good cholesterol is good for our heart and helps in reducing the bad cholesterol in our body. On the other hand, excess bad cholesterol (LDL) leads to the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and stroke.
Pitavastatin contains Pitavastatin that works by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the body that is essential to make cholesterol. Thereby, it decreases the production of LDL (bad cholesterol) by the liver. Also, Pitavastatin reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the brain's excess cholesterol deposition and the heart's major blood vessels.
Take Pitavastatin as prescribed. Your doctor will advise you how often you take Pitavastatin based on your medical condition. Some people may experience constipation, diarrhoea, pain in arms or legs, muscle pain or back pain. Most of these side effects of Pitavastatin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Pitavastatin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid using Pitavastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding women and consult a doctor before taking Pitavastatin. You are advised to take effective birth control measures while taking Pitavastatin to avoid pregnancy. Maintain a low-fat diet along with Pitavastatin for effective results. Avoid taking Pitavastatin if you have liver disease, including abnormal liver enzyme tests. If you have uncontrolled fits, dehydration, severe infection or low blood pressure, high or low potassium levels in blood and surgery, stop taking Pitavastatin for a short period and consult a doctor. If you have a thyroid disorder, kidney, liver or muscle problems, please consult a doctor before taking Pitavastatin.
Uses of Pitavastatin
Medicinal Benefits
Pitavastatin contains Pitavastatin used to lower bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Pitavastatin inhibits the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the body that is essential to make cholesterol. Thereby, it decreases the production of LDL (bad cholesterol) by the liver. Also, Pitavastatin reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the brain and heart. Pitavastatin is also prescribed in children above 8 years and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (an inherited genetic disorder resulting in serious high cholesterol levels).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Pitavastatin
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Pain in arms or legs
- Muscle pain
- Back pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Pitavastatin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid using Pitavastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding women and consult a doctor before taking Pitavastatin. You are advised to take effective birth control measures while taking Pitavastatin to avoid pregnancy. Maintain a low-fat diet along with Pitavastatin for effective results. Avoid taking Pitavastatin if you have liver disease, including abnormal liver enzyme tests. If you have uncontrolled fits, dehydration, severe infection or low blood pressure, high or low potassium levels in the blood, and surgery, stop taking Pitavastatin for a short period and consult a doctor. If you have a thyroid disorder, kidney, liver, or muscle problems, please consult a doctor before taking Pitavastatin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Pitavastatin may have interaction with other medicines used to lower bad cholesterol (atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, fenofibrate, ezetimibe), immunosuppressant (cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Pitavastatin may interact with caffeine. Therefore, avoid intake of caffeinated foods and drinks as it may increase the risk of adverse effects of Pitavastatin. Also, avoid alcohol consumption with Pitavastatin as it may increase the risk of liver problems.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have a thyroid disorder, kidney, liver, or muscle problems, please consult a doctor before taking Pitavastatin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Pitavastatin as it may increase the risk of liver damage. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Pitavastatin.
Pregnancy
unsafePitavastatin is a Category X pregnancy drug and is considered unsafe for pregnant women as it may cause harm to the unborn baby. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Pitavastatin.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Pitavastatin as it may be unsafe for the baby. However, please consult a doctor before taking Pitavastatin.
Driving
safe if prescribedPitavastatin usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Pitavastatin with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Pitavastatin is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionTake Pitavastatin with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionPitavastatin is not recommended for children below 8 years of age. However, Pitavastatin should be used with caution in children above 8 years if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a low-fat diet. Limit your intake of dairy products made with whole milk and red meat. Prefer skim milk and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, whole grains, nuts and cut down beverages, processed and sugary foods.
- Do regular exercises such as swimming, cycling, walking, or dancing and focus on losing weight as obesity also raises bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Pitavastatin to monitor cholesterol levels in the blood and liver functioning.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hyperlipidemia: Also, dyslipidemia occurs when there is an excess of the unhealthy balance of cholesterol in the blood. When there is a high cholesterol level in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged that finally contributing to heart diseases, like stroke and heart attack. Eating high-fat or high-cholesterol-containing food/drinks and genetic factors are the primary causes of high cholesterol. There are two types of cholesterol found in our body: good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). Good cholesterol is good for our heart and helps in reducing the bad cholesterol in our body. On the other hand, excess bad cholesterol (LDL) leads to the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and stroke.
FAQs
Pitavastatin contains Pitavastatin that works by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the body that is essential to make cholesterol. Thereby, it decreases the production of LDL (bad cholesterol) by the liver. Also, Pitavastatin reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the brain and heart.
You are not recommended to take Pitavastatin with atorvastatin as it may increase the risk of nerve damage. However, please consult a doctor before taking Pitavastatin with any other medicines.
Yes, Pitavastatin may cause rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle tissue) and may lead to kidney failure, especially in patients with kidney disease and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). It is not necessary for everyone taking Pitavastatin to experience this adverse effect. However, if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness, especially with fever, dark coloured urine or unusual tiredness, please consult your doctor immediately.
Pitavastatin should be used with caution in diabetic patients as it may increase blood sugar levels. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended in diabetic patients and inform your doctor before taking Pitavastatin if you are diabetic.
You are recommended to avoid eating foods rich in fat or cholesterol and caffeine as it may increase side effects.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Pitavastatin without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, take Pitavastatin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Pitavastatin, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be gradually reduced.
