Description

Livalo is an adult medicine used to treat elevated “bad” cholesterol. Lowering “bad” cholesterol may help prevent heart disease and artery stiffening, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. 

Livalo Uses

• In conjunction with a heart-healthy diet, this medication reduces blood levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides while increasing levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) and lowering triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). 
• This is also used to treat inherited high cholesterol in children over the age of eight. 

Livalo vs Lipitor  

• Both Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Livalo (pitavastatin) are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (“statins”) used to lower high or abnormal blood cholesterol levels 
• Based on clinical studies, the 4 mg dose of LIVALO reduced LDL similarly to Lipitor 20 mg, while the 2-mg dose of LIVALO reduced LDL similarly to Lipitor 10 mg. 
• This medication is administered orally once a day in doses ranging from 1 to 4 mg. The beginning dose is Livalo 2 mg, with a maximum dose of Livalo 4 mg. Lipitor, on the other hand, is prescribed at a daily dose of 10-80 mg. 

Direction

• This should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. You must follow all of the instructions on your prescription label. To ensure you get the optimum outcomes, your doctor may need to adjust your dose from time to time. 
• This medication can be taken with or without food, but it must be taken at the same time every day. 
• You may require frequent blood tests to monitor your liver function while using this medication. 

Side Effects 

The following symptoms should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible: 

• Confusion and memory issues 
• Hip, shoulder, neck, and back muscle weakness 
• Difficulty lifting your arms, climbing, or standing; 
• Symptoms of kidney disease include vomiting, pain in your side or lower back, little or no urination, edema, and rapid weight gain. 
• Loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), weariness, dark urine, clay-colored feces, and jaundice are all symptoms of liver disorders (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Caution 

• If you have liver disease (including significantly abnormal liver enzyme testing) or are taking cyclosporine, you should not take this medication.  

Frequently Asked Questions

-What is Livalo? 

This is a “statin” cholesterol-lowering drug for individuals with high cholesterol that, when combined with a heart-healthy diet, helps to lower total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and Apo B while increasing “good” cholesterol (HDL-C). 

–Is Livalo side effects of weight gain possible?  

This prescription drug belongs to a drug class known as statins, which have been linked to weight gain.  Studies showed that people who use statins tend to take in more calories resulting in weight gain.  

Weight gain with statin treatment may also be attributed to muscular soreness and weakness, which may cause you to be less physically active.