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Pitavastatin
Pitavastatin is approved for the treatment of high cholesterol. This prescription medication works by blocking an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. It helps to reduce the "bad" cholesterol, increase the "good" cholesterol, and lower triglycerides. It comes in tablet form and is usually taken once daily.
Pitavastatin (Livalo®) is a prescription medication licensed to treat high cholesterol. It is used in combination with a low-cholesterol diet. This medicine is specifically designed to:
- Reduce total cholesterol
- Reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL ("bad cholesterol")
- Lower apolipoprotein B (ApoB) cholesterol (another type of "bad cholesterol")
- Lower triglycerides
- Increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL ("good cholesterol").
(Click What Is Pitavastatin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Just like any medicine, pitavastatin can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. Most people tolerate it quite well.
Common side effects of pitavastatin include but are not limited to:
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain.
If reactions do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
(Click Side Effects of Pitavastatin to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD