FDA approves new statin drug

Pitavastatin (Livalo, Kowa Pharmaceuticals), a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, was approved as a primary treatment for hypercholesterolemia and combined dyslipidemia. This new medication has a unique cyclopropyl group on its base structure, giving it the potential for greater LDL clearance and the reduction of plasma cholesterol. The manufacturer also said that pitavastatin is only minimally metabolized by the liver through the cytochrome P450 pathway.  See www.Kowapharma.com for more information.