Pitavastatin

Pitavastatin is used together with diet, weight-loss, and exercise to reduce the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ('good cholesterol') in adults. Pitavastatin is also used together with diet to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood in teenagers and children 8 years of age and older who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally). Pitavastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.

Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with pitavastatin has been shown to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

Pitavastatin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take pitavastatin at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pitavastatin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of pitavastatin and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 4 weeks.

Continue to take pitavastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking pitavastatin without talking to your doctor.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking pitavastatin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pitavastatin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in pitavastatin tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• Some medications should not be taken with pitavastatin. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting pitavastatin with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping or changing any medications while taking pitavastatin, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or ever had liver disease. Your doctor may order laboratory tests to see how well your liver is working even if you do not think you have liver disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take pitavastatin if you have liver disease or if the tests show that you may be developing liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol, if you are 65 years of age or older, or if you have or have ever had seizures, muscle aches or weakness, impaired fasting glucose (pre-diabetes) or diabetes, or thyroid or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking pitavastatin, call your doctor immediately. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking pitavastatin if you are pregnant.
• do not breastfeed while you are taking this medication.
• if you are having surgery, tell the doctor that you are taking pitavastatin. If you are hospitalized due to serious injury or infection, tell the doctor treating you that you are taking pitavastatin.
• ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking pitavastatin. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects.

Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. You can also visit the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) website for additional dietary information at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.pdf.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Pitavastatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• back pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• memory loss or forgetfulness
• confusion

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• fever
• nausea
• extreme tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark urine
• flu-like symptoms
• rash
• itching
• hives

Pitavastatin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests during your treatment, especially if you develop signs of liver damage.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking pitavastatin.

Pitavastatin may increase your blood sugar level. If you monitor your blood sugar (glucose) at home, call your doctor if your blood sugar is high. You should follow diet and exercise recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

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