Pitavastatin Calcium (2 brand names, 1 dosage form, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: TABLET.
Routes of administration: ORAL.
Brand Names
- LIVALO
- PITAVASTATIN CALCIUM
Related Health Topics
Indications and Usage
Pitavastatin tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in: Adults with primary hyperlipidemia. Adults and pediatric patients aged 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).
Contraindications
Pitavastatin tablets is contraindicated in the following conditions: Concomitant use of cyclosporine [see Drug Interactions (7)] . Acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] . Hypersensitivity to pitavastatin or any excipients in pitavastatin tablets. Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema, rash, pruritus, and urticaria have been reported with pitavastatin tablets [see Adverse Reactions (6)] .
Adverse Reactions
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy [see Warning and Precautions (5.2)] Hepatic Dysfunction [see Warning and Precautions (5.3)] Increases in HbA1c and Fasting Serum Glucose Levels [see Warning and Precautions (5.4)] .
Drug Interactions
Table 2 includes a list of drugs that increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when administered concomitantly with pitavastatin and instructions for preventing or managing drug interactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . Table 2. Drug Interactions that Increase the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis with Pitavastatin Tablets Cyclosporine Clinical Impact: Cyclosporine significantly increases pitavastatin exposure and increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis . Intervention: Concomitant use of cyclosporine with pitavastatin is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)] . Gemfibrozil Clinical Impact: Gemfibrozil may cause myopathy when given alone. The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased with concomitant use of gemfibrozil with statins, including pitavastatin. Intervention: Avoid concomitant use of gemfibrozil with pitavastatin. Erythromycin Clinical Impact: Erythromycin significantly increases pitavastatin exposure and increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis . Intervention: In patients taking erythromycin, do not exceed pitavastatin tablets 1 mg once daily [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)] . Rifampin Clinical Impact: Rifampin significantly increases peak pitavastatin exposure and increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis . Intervention: In patients taking rifampin, do not exceed pitavastatin tablets 2 mg once daily [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)] . Fibrates Clinical Impact: Fibrates may cause myopathy when given alone. The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased with concomitant use of fibrates with statins, including pitavastatin. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using fibrates concomitantly with pitavastatin outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Niacin Clinical Impact: The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis may be increased with concomitant use of lipid-modifying doses (≥1 g/day) of niacin with pitavastatin. Intervention: Conside
Mechanism of Action
Pitavastatin is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a rate-limiting step in the biosynthetic pathway for cholesterol. As a result, the expression of LDL-receptors followed by the uptake of LDL from blood to liver is accelerated and then the plasma TC decreases. Sustained inhibition of cholesterol synthesis in the liver also decreases levels of very low-density lipoproteins.
Overdosage
No specific treatment for pitavastatin tablets overdose is known. Contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) for latest recommendations. Hemodialysis is unlikely to be of benefit due to high protein binding ratio of pitavastatin tablets.