What is Livalo?
Livalo is a member of a class of drugs known as HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors, or "statins."Livalo can be used in conjunction with diets to reduce blood levels of "bad cholesterol" (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), increase "good cholesterol" (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and lower triglycerides.Livalo is prescribed to adults with high cholesterol. Lowering cholesterol can help prevent heart disease, hardening arteries, and other conditions that may lead to heart attacks, strokes, and vascular diseases.Livalo can also be used to treat a form of inherited high cholesterol that affects children older than 8 years.
Warnings
Livalo should not be taken if there is liver disease, including abnormal liver enzymes.Livalo is not recommended for pregnant women.Do not breastfeed while taking Livalo.
Before you take this drug
Livalo should not be used if:
- Liver disease (including liver enzymes that are abnormally high)
- If you are breastfeeding or pregnant,
- If you are taking cyclosporine,
Avoid using Livalo while pregnant. Pitavastatin may harm an unborn child. Prevent pregnancy by using effective birth control. If you become pregnant, stop taking the medicine immediately and inform your doctor.Pitavastatin may pass into breastmilk and harm nursing babies. Livalo should not be taken while breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Livalo will be safe for you:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- A thyroid disorder,
- If you consume large quantities of alcohol,
Livalo may cause a condition in which skeletal muscle tissue is broken down, leading to kidney failure. This condition is more common in older adults, people with kidney disease, and those who are hypothyroid (underactive thyroid).Do not administer this medicine to an infant without consulting a doctor.
Similar/related drugs
atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, ezetimibe, Crestor, Zetia, and pitavastatin
How to take Livalo?
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Your doctor may change your dosage from time to time in order to get you the best results. Take this medication only as prescribed. Take the dose recommended and do not take more.Take Livalo at the same time every day, whether you eat or not.You may need to have frequent blood tests done while using Livalo to monitor your liver function.
If you:
- Uncontrolled seizures;
- An electrolyte imbalance is a high or low potassium level in the blood.
- Low blood pressure is a serious condition.
- A severe illness or infection;
- Dehydration is a condition that can occur.
- Surgery or an emergency medical situation.
Livalo is part of a comprehensive treatment programme that includes exercise, diet, and weight management. You should closely monitor your diet, medications, and exercise regimens.Store away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for hyperlipidemia:
Initial dose: Orally, 2 mg once daily with or without meals
Maintenance dose: 1–4 mg, once or twice a day.
Maximum dose: 4mg once daily, with or without meals.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recall, take the missed dose. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Avoid foods high in cholesterol or fat. Livalo won't be as effective at lowering cholesterol if you don't follow a diet that lowers cholesterol.Alcohol can increase triglyceride and liver damage risks.
Side effects of Livalo
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.Livalo may cause kidney failure in rare cases. If you experience unexplained weakness, muscle tenderness, or pain, call your doctor immediately. This is especially true if you are also experiencing fever, unusual fatigue, and dark urine.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Memory problems and confusion
- You may experience muscle weakness in the hips, shoulders, and neck.
- Having difficulty standing or climbing or lifting your arms;
- Kidney disease: vomiting, back pain, little or no urine, swelling, rapid weight increase; or
- Liver problems: fatigue, dark urine and stools with clay colour, loss of appetite (upper right), stomach pain, and tiredness.
Common Livalo side effects may include:
- Muscle pain;
- You may experience pain in the ams or legs.
- Back pain is a common complaint.
- Diarrhoea, constipation.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Inform your doctor of all the other medications you take. Certain other drugs, like pitavastatin, can also increase your risk of serious muscle problems. It is important to let your doctor know if you use any of these:
- Colchicine;
- Gemfibrozil;
- Fenofibric Acid
- Fenofibrate
- Medicines that contain niacin
This list is incomplete. Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may interact with pitavastatin. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
