Livalo

Pitavastatin tablets What does this drug do? HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins," are a group of drugs that include PITAVASTATIN. Pitavastatin lowers the amount of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood while raising the amount of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). Pitavastatin is used to help adults with high cholesterol. Heart disease and hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease, may be prevented by lowering your cholesterol. What do I need to tell my doctor before taking this medicine? If you are allergic to pitavastatin or if you have liver disease (including abnormal liver enzyme tests), if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are taking cyclosporine, you should not use pitavastatin. FDA pregnancy category X. This medicine can hurt or cause birth defects in an unborn child. Do not use pitavastatin if you are pregnant. If you get pregnant, stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor right away. Use a reliable method of birth control to keep from getting pregnant while taking pitavastatin. Pitavastatin can get into breast milk and could hurt a baby who is being fed by a mother. If you are taking pitavastatin, you should not breastfeed. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, a history of liver disease, a thyroid disorder, or if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day. This will make sure that pitavastatin is safe for you. Pitavastatin can cause a condition that causes skeletal muscle tissue to break down, which can lead to kidney failure. People with kidney disease or hypothyroidism that isn't well controlled may be more likely to get this condition (underactive thyroid). Do not give this medicine to anyone under 18 without getting advice from a doctor. How do I take this medication? Follow all of the directions on the label of your medicine. Your doctor might change your dose from time to time to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller doses, or for longer or shorter periods of time than is recommended. Pitavastatin can be taken with or without food. While you are taking pitavastatin, your liver function will need to be checked often through blood tests. You may need to stop taking pitavastatin for a short time if you have: seizures that can't be controlled; an electrolyte imbalance (like high or low potassium levels in your blood); very low blood pressure; a severe infection or illness; being dehydrated; surgery; or a medical emergency. Pitavastatin is just one part of a full treatment plan that also includes diet, exercise, and keeping your weight in check. Very closely stick to your diet, medication, and exercise plans. Keep at room temperature and out of the light, heat, and moisture. What could go wrong if I take this medicine? Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take. Colchicine, gemfibrozil, fenofibric acid, fenofibrate, and medicines with niacin can all raise your risk of serious muscle problems. If you are taking any of these drugs, it is very important that you tell your doctor (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others). This list doesn't have everything. Other drugs, like prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may interact with pitavastatin. This medication guide does not list all of the possible drug interactions. What are the possible side effects of this medicine? If you have hives, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat, you may be having an allergic reaction and need to see a doctor right away. Pitavastatin can sometimes cause a condition that causes skeletal muscle tissue to break down, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have pain, tenderness, or weakness in your muscles that you can't explain. This is especially true if you also have a fever, are unusually tired, and have dark urine. Also call your doctor right away if you are confused or having trouble remembering things, if you are having problems with your kidneys (vomiting, pain in your side or lower back, urinating little or not at all, swelling, or gaining weight quickly), or if you are having problems with your liver (nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, feeling tired, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice) (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Mild muscle pain, pain in your arms or legs, back pain, or diarrhea or constipation are some common side effects. This isn't a full list of all possible side effects, and there may be others. What should I keep an eye out for while I'm taking this medicine? Don't eat foods that are high in cholesterol or fat. Pitavastatin won't work as well to lower your cholesterol if you don't eat in a way that helps lower cholesterol. Avoid consuming alcohol. It can make you have more triglycerides and may make you more likely to hurt your liver.