Livalo

Generic Name: pitavastatin (pit AV a STAT in)
Brand Names: Livalo

What is Livalo?

Livalo (pitavastatin) belongs to a group of medicines called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Livalo reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Livalo is used to treat high cholesterol in adults. Lowering your cholesterol may help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

Livalo may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Livalo

You should not take Livalo if you are allergic to pitavastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease or severe kidney disease. You should not take Livalo if you are also taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) or lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra). Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Slideshow: Grapefruit and Medicines: A Possible Deadly Mix?

Before taking Livalo, tell your doctor if you have a thyroid disorder, if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, Livalo can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Livalo will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.

Livalo is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Before taking Livalo

You should not take Livalo if you are allergic to pitavastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease or severe kidney disease. You should not take Livalo if you are also taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) or lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra).

To make sure you can safely take Livalo, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• history of liver disease;

• a thyroid disorder; or

• if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, Livalo can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:

• gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide); or

• medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).

FDA pregnancy category X. Livalo can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take Livalo if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking Livalo. It is not known whether pitavastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Livalo.

See also: Livalo pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Livalo?

Take Livalo exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Livalo is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

You may need to stop using Livalo for a short time if you have:

• uncontrolled seizures;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);

• severely low blood pressure;

• a severe infection or illness;

• dehydration; or

• surgery or a medical emergency.

To be sure Livalo is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Livalo is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Livalo?

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Livalo will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.

Livalo side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Livalo: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Livalo and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;

• confusion, memory problems;

• fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;

• increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss); or

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious Livalo side effects may include:

• mild muscle pain;

• back pain, pain in your arms or legs;

• diarrhea, constipation; or

• mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Livalo side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Livalo?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);

• erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);

• itraconazole (Sporanox);

• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate); or

• any other "statin" medication such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Livalo. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Livalo.