Pitavastatin
Pitavastatin
Pitavastatin (pronounced as pita-va-stat-in) is a medication used to treat hypercholesterolemia or high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It belongs to the class of drugs known as statins, which work by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.
Etymology
The term "Pitavastatin" is derived from the chemical name Pitavastatin Calcium, which is the active ingredient in the medication. The name is a combination of the prefix "Pita-", which is an abbreviation of the chemical structure, and "-statin", which is a common suffix for drugs that inhibit cholesterol production in the liver.
Usage
Pitavastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins". It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Side Effects
Like all medications, Pitavastatin can cause side effects. Common side effects include muscle pain, liver problems, and kidney problems. If these or any other side effects occur, it is important to contact a healthcare provider immediately.
Related Terms
- Hypercholesterolemia: A condition characterized by very high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
- Statins: A class of drugs used to lower blood levels of cholesterol.
- Cholesterol: A type of fat found in your blood.
- Triglycerides: A type of fat (lipid) found in your blood.
- HDL: High-density lipoprotein, often referred to as "good" cholesterol.
- LDL: Low-density lipoprotein, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pitavastatin
- Wikipedia's article - Pitavastatin
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