Pitavastatin

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.

Introduction

Generic name: Pitavastatin

Brand names: Livalo, Zypitamag

Dosage forms: oral tablet ((as magnesium) 1 mg; (as magnesium) 2 mg; (as magnesium) 4 mg; 1 mg; 2 mg; 4 mg)

Drug class: Statins

Uses

High cholesterol

Prevention of heart attack and stroke

Benefits

In High cholesterol

Pivasta 2 Tablet works by reducing the amount of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and raising the amount of “good” cholesterol (HDL) in your blood. Lowering the amount of cholesterol reduces the chances of heart diseases and helps you remain healthier for longer.

Take it regularly and make appropriate lifestyle changes (such as eating healthy and staying active) to maximize the effectiveness of this medicine. Keep taking it even if you feel well.

In Prevention of heart attack and stroke

High levels of cholesterol can cause your blood vessels to narrow (atherosclerosis) and put you at risk of having a stroke or heart disease. Lowering the amount of this fat reduces the chances of this happening and helps you remain healthier for longer. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well.

Directions for use

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Pivasta 2 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How it works

Pivasta 2 Tablet is a lipid-lowering medication (statin). It works by blocking an enzyme (HMG-CoA-reductase) that is required in the body to make cholesterol. It thus lowers “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, raising the level of “good” cholesterol (HDL).

Side effects

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

  • Confusion, memory problems

  • Muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back

  • Trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing

  • Kidney problems–vomiting, pain in your side or lower back, little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain

  • Liver problems–loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of pitavastatin may include:

  • Muscle pain

  • Pain in your arms or legs

  • Back pain

  • Diarrhea, constipation.

Warnings

  • You should not take pitavastatin if you have liver disease (including abnormal liver enzyme tests), or if you also take cyclosporine.

  • Do not take pitavastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • Pitavastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead 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, or dark urine.

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