Pitavastatin: evidence for its place in treatment of hypercholesterolemia

avastatin: evidence for its place in treatment of hypercholesterolemia Review (4602) Total Article Views Authors: Peter Alagona, Jr Published Date October 2010 Volume 2010:5 Pages 91 - 105 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CE.S8008 Peter Alagona, Jr Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA Abstract: 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.