Description
Pitavastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower high cholesterol levels and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood and increase good cholesterol (HDL) in patients with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia. This medicine may help prevent medical problems (eg, heart attacks, strokes) that are caused by fat clogging the blood vessels. Livalo® is also used to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in children 8 years of age and older.
Pitavastatin belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. It works to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood by blocking an enzyme that is needed to make cholesterol.
Initial dose is 2 mg orally once a day. Assess lipid levels 4 weeks after dose initiation or titration; adjust dose accordingly. The maximum dosage is 4 mg/day.
