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|
 pitavastatin |
| Livalo |
Pharmaceutical
company:
Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
www.kowapharma.com |
Pharmacologic classification: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
Therapeutic classification: antilipemic
Pregnancy risk category: X
AVAILABLE FORMS
Tablets: 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg
INDICATIONS AND DOSAGES
Adjunctive therapy with diet to reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels and apolipoprotein B triglycerides, and to increase HDL cholesterol in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia—
Adults: Initially, 2 mg P.O. daily. May increase daily dose, as needed, to a maximum of 4 mg.
ADJUST-A-DOSE: For a creatinine clearance of 30 to 60 ml/minute, start with 1 mg P.O. daily; maximum dose, 2 mg daily. For a creatinine clearance of less than 30 ml/minute, avoid use if not yet receiving dialysis.
CONTRAINDICATIONS AND CAUTIONS
Contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the drug or its components and in those with active liver disease. Also contraindicated in pregnant and breast-feeding women and in women of childbearing age.
Avoid using in patients taking cyclosporine.
Use cautiously in elderly patients and in those with renal impairment, inadequately treated hypothyroidism, or a history of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
INTERACTIONS
Drug-drug.
Cyclosporine: May increase pitavastatin levels. Use together is contraindicated.
Erythromycin: May increase drug levels. Don't exceed 1 mg pitavastatin daily.
Fibrates (gemfibrozil, niacin): May increase the risk of myopathy. Use together cautiously; consider reducing pitavastatin when combined with niacin.
Protease inhibitor combinations (lopinavir/ritonavir): May increase pitavastatin levels. Avoid use together.
Rifampin: May increase drug levels. Don't exceed 2 mg pitavastatin daily.
Drug-herb.
Herbal products that lower cholesterol: May increase drug levels. Discourage use together.
Drug-food.
Grapefruit juice: May increase drug levels and increase the risk of adverse effects, including rhabdomyolysis and myopathy.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
GI: constipation, diarrhea.
Musculoskeletal: back pain, myalgia, pain in the extremities.
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening,
or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING.
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