Pitavastatin (NK-104) is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor with hypocholesterolemic and neuroprotective activities, inhibits synthesis of cholesterol from acetic acid, and reduces oxidative stress.Pitavastatin is a hepatocellular low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) receptor inducer, and may be used to Pitavastatin is a hepatocellular LDL-C receptor inducer and is used in the study of coronary atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, and acute coronary syndromes.Pitavastatin is structurally unstable and is recommended to be formulated for immediate use.

Pitavastatin calcium (NK-104) is a potent inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase (Ki: 1.7 nM). It lowers both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in animals and humans. Metabolism of pitavastatin by the cytochrome P450 system is minimal, reducing the risk of drug-drug interactions.