From the FDA Drug Label
2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Information Take pitavastatin tablets orally once daily with or without food at the same time each day. The optimal time of day to take pitavastatin is once daily at the same time each day, but the specific time of day is not specified.
- The drug can be taken with or without food. 1
From the Research
The best time to take pitavastatin is in the evening, preferably at bedtime. Here's what you need to know:
Recommendation
Take pitavastatin once daily in the evening, ideally at the same time each day.
Dosage
The typical starting dose is 1 mg or 2 mg once daily, but follow your doctor's specific instructions.
Additional Information
- Take the medication with or without food.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
- Do not double up on doses.
Justification
Pitavastatin is taken in the evening because the body produces most cholesterol at night. By taking the medication before bed, it can work most effectively when cholesterol production is at its peak. This timing helps to maximize the drug's cholesterol-lowering effects. According to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology 2, evening administration of statins, including pitavastatin, results in greater LDL-C lowering compared to morning administration. This study found that LDL-C lowering was statistically greater in the evening-dose group, with a mean difference of 3.24 mg/dL. While other studies, such as those on ezetimibe/simvastatin 3 and fluvastatin 4, have shown that the time of administration may not significantly affect the efficacy of these medications, the most recent and highest quality study 2 suggests that evening administration is superior for pitavastatin. Therefore, based on the available evidence, taking pitavastatin in the evening is recommended to maximize its cholesterol-lowering effects.