Pitavastatin Oral Tablets

What is this medication?

PITAVASTATIN (pit A va STAT in) is known as a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or 'statin'. It lowers the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Diet and lifestyle changes are often used with this drug.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Livalo, Zypitamag

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• if you often drink alcohol
• history of stroke
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• muscle aches or weakness
• thyroid disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to pitavastatin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 8 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cyclosporine

• gemfibrozil

• herbal medicines like red yeast rice

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• erythromycin

• other medicines for cholesterol

• rifampin

• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check-ups. You may need regular tests to make sure your liver is working properly.

Your health care professional may tell you to stop taking this medicine if you develop muscle problems. If your muscle problems do not go away after stopping this medicine, contact your health care professional.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their health care professional if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your healthcare provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.

If you are going to need surgery or other procedure, tell your doctor that you are using this medicine.

This drug is only part of a total heart-health program. Your doctor or a dietician can suggest a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to help. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule.

This medicine may cause a decrease in Co-Enzyme Q-10. You should make sure that you get enough Co-Enzyme Q-10 while you are taking this medicine. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your health care professional.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• confusion
• joint pain
• loss of memory
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as being more thirsty or hungry or having to urinate more than normal. You may also feel very tired or have blurry vision.
• signs and symptoms of muscle injury like dark urine; trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine; unusually weak or tired; muscle pain or side or back pain
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• gas
• headache
• nausea
• stomach pain
• trouble sleeping
• upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What is pitavastatin used for?

Pitavastatin is a statin that helps you lower the amount of “bad” cholesterol (LDL or low-density lipoprotein) in your blood. It interferes with your liver’s process of making cholesterol, which makes it produce less of it.

Is pitavastatin generic?

Several pharmaceutical companies make pitavastatin, which is the generic version of the medicine. This is in addition to the brand name drugs, Livalo® and Zypitamag®.

Can you take fish oil with pitavastatin?

You should always check with your healthcare provider before starting or stopping a new medicine or supplement. But researchers have found that people saw more improvement in their total cholesterol when taking both fish oil and statins.

What are the side effects of pitavastatin?

Side effects of pitavastatin may include:

• Digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea.
• Pain in your back or limbs.
• Muscle pain.
• Confusion.
• Memory loss.