Pivasta 2 (Pitavastatin 2mg)

Pivasta 2 general information

What is Pivasta 2 used for?

Pivasta tablets 2mg are used to lower high levels of lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood (hyperlipidemia) including cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) and other fats (triglycerides), also mixed dyslipidemia, which is elevated levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol, usually accompanied by low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL).  Cholesterol is carried in the blood attached to lipoproteins; LDL (known as “bad” cholesterol) carries cholesterol around the body and high levels of LDL can cause deposition of cholesterol in the arteries causing cause arteries to become hardened and blocked.  HDL (known as “good” cholesterol) carries cholesterol to the liver to be metabolised and is a cholesterol scavenger reducing blood levels.  High levels of cholesterol and LDL are associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina; high levels of HDL reduce risk of CHD.  Pivasta 2 is used in conjunction with a low-fat diet, when lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) are not sufficient to lower cholesterol, to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease in patients without clinical evidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) but who are at risk of CHD, including those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  There are usually no symptoms associated with high cholesterol, which may be due to lifestyle (high-fat diet and lack of exercise) or can be inherited and is not always lifestyle dependent.  

How does Pivasta 2 work?

Pivasta tablets 2mg contain pitavastatin, which belongs to a group of cholesterol-lowing medications called statins.  Cholesterol is synthesised in the liver and is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body.  However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up and harden, blocking the arteries and increasing risk of heart disease.  Pitavastatin in Pivasta 2 reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver, by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis.  This action lowers levels of total cholesterol in the blood as well as reducing LDL.  The structure of pitavastatin in Pivasta 2 is different to other statins and contributes to its reduced metabolism, increased bioavailability and improved pharmacokinetics, which means that it is effective at lower doses and is more potent than other statins in inhibiting cholesterol synthesis; it also increases HDL levels¹.  Pivasta 2 only blocks cholesterol that is produced in the liver and has no effect on cholesterol that comes from fat in food, which is why a low-fat diet is important even when taking Pivasta 2.

What does Pivasta 2 contain?

Pivasta tablets contain the active ingredient pitavastatin 2mg, a cholesterol-lowing medication belonging to the group of drugs called statins. 

Treating high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) with Pivasta 2

Pivasta tablets 2mg contain the cholesterol-lowing statin medication pitavastatin, which is used in conjunction with a low-fat diet and increased exercise, to lower levels of cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood to reduce health risks associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol.  Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body, however, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and increasing risk of heart disease.  Pitavastatin in Pivasta 2 reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver, by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis.  This action lowers levels of total cholesterol in the blood as well as reducing “bad” cholesterol (LDL) that can cause arteries to become hardened and blocked, and also increases levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) that helps unblock hardened arteries.  Pivasta 2 only blocks cholesterol that is produced in the liver and has no effect on cholesterol that comes from fat in food, which is why a low-fat diet is important even when you are taking Pivasta 2.  

What are the side effects of Pivasta 2?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Pivasta 2 include constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, pain in extremities.  More serious side effects are less common and may include muscle and joint pain.

When should Pivasta 2 not be used?

You should not use Pivasta 2 if you:

• are allergic to pitavastatin or any ingredients in Pivasta 2
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Pivasta 2 including other lipid-lowering medications like gemfibrozil, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, the antibiotics erythromycin or clarithromycin.

How should Pivasta 2 be taken?

You should take your Pivasta 2 swallowed whole with a glass of water once a day, with or without food, preferably in the evening after your evening meal.  Pivasta 2 is most effective at night when the body is at resting and your liver is producing the most cholesterol.  You should see your cholesterol levels fall to within normal limits within 4 weeks, and your doctor may adjust the dose you are taking.  You should continue to take Pivasta 2 for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for the rest of your life as Pivasta 2 helps keep your cholesterol levels from being too high and if you stop taking Pivasta 2, your cholesterol levels may rise again. 

How long should you take Pivasta 2?

You should continue to take Pivasta 2 for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for the rest of your life as Pivasta 2 helps keep your cholesterol levels from being too high and if you stop taking Pivasta 2, your cholesterol levels may rise again. 

Missed dose of Pivasta 2

If you miss a dose of Pivasta 2 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Pivasta 2 be stored?

You should store your Pivasta 2 below 25°C in a cool dry place. 

References

Saito Y. Pitavastatin: an overview. Atheroscler Suppl 2011 Nov;12(3):271-6