Pivasta

Uses
Pivasta (Pitavastatin) is used to treat high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). Pitavastatin is classified as a statin. It reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (good cholesterol).

Pitavastatin's mechanism of action is to inhibit an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. HMG-CoA reductase is responsible for the production of cholesterol in the body.

Dosage and Administration
Pivasta 1mg is the lowest possible dosage available. Pivasta 2mg and Pivasta 4mg is also available.

Most people will start on a daily dosage of 2mg per day, and depending on how well the body responds, a maintenance dose of anywhere between 1mg per day and 4mg per day may be given.

Pivasta tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Pivasta can be taken with or without food.

Side effects
In rare cases, Pitavastatin can cause some serious side effects such as:

• liver problems (increased risk in patients who frequently drink alcohol)
• muscular problems (myopathy)
• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue)
• change in the amount of urine produced
• confusion, memory problems, mental or mood changes (eg, depression)
• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (with or without fever or fatigue)
• symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain; unusual tiredness; yellowing of the skin or eyes)

If you notice any of the above while taking Pivasta, contact your doctor immediately.

The most common side effects of Pitavastatin are back pain, constipation, and diarrhea. If these become troublesome to you, contact your doctor.

Precautions
Pivasta is not a suitable treatment for everybody. If any of the below conditions apply to you, do not take Pitavastatin:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in pitavastatin
• you have liver problems or unexplained abnormal liver function tests
• you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• you are taking cyclosporine or gemfibrozil

Before you begin treatment with Pivasta, make sure to tell your doctor if:

• you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• you are able to become pregnant
• you are taking any other medicines, particularly colchicine, cyclosporine, daptomycin, erythromycin, fibrates (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, etc), niacin, rifampin or warfarin
• you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• you have diabetes, kidney problems, low blood pressure, a serious infection, or a history of seizures
• you have muscle problems (eg, pain, weakness), an underactive thyroid, or if you are dehydrated
• you have metabolism, hormonal, endocrine, or electrolyte problems
• you drink alcohol or have a history of liver problems or alcohol abuse
• you are on dialysis or have recently had major surgery or a serious injury