Pitavastatin calcium is a water-soluble inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid, the rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. Pitavastatin calcium is antilipidemic and is used to reduce plasma cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular disease.