Pitavastatin: evidence for its place in treatment of hypercholesterolemia

Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, are the most potent pharmacologic agents for lowering total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). They have become an accepted standard of care in the treatment of patients with known atherosclerotic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Core evidence 2010-01, Vol.5, p.91-105
Main Author: Alagona, Jr, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
class effect
HMG CoA reductase inhibitors
low-density lipoprotein
pitavastatin
Review
Statins
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Summary:Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, are the most potent pharmacologic agents for lowering total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). They have become an accepted standard of care in the treatment of patients with known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (secondary prevention) and also those at increased risk of cardiovascular events. There are currently six statin drugs commercially available in the US. Although they are chemically similar and have the same primary mechanisms of action in lowering TC and LDL-C, there are differences in their efficacy or potency, metabolism, drug-drug interactions, and individual tolerability. Considering the numbers of patients who need LDL-C-lowering therapy and questions of individual tolerance and therapeutic response, having a variety of agents to choose from is beneficial for patient care. This paper presents background information on statin treatment and reviews data regarding a new agent, pitavastatin, which has recently been approved for clinical use.
ISSN:1555-175X
1555-1741
1555-175X
DOI:10.2147/CE.S8008