Livalo for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ner...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 20, 2019

"For the past 10 years, my doctor tried every cholesterol pill on me. All of them gave me muscle pain, and I couldn't walk. He gave me Livalo 2 mg to start, and it was totally different. Now I take 4 mg and have no muscle pain at all."

• AGF...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2015

"Have been on Livalo for a few years, 2 mg a day. I'm a female, 58, 5'3, normal-petite. First, I have to say reading all the reviews are not useful to many people. You cannot compare yourself to a 75-year-old or a 35-year-old or even female/male. I feel you can only find answers when you compare yourself to the same type of person. I do not take any other medication except for Xanax for panic/anxiety disorder. After a few years of taking Livalo, I'm experiencing horrible joint pains in my toes and feet. I feel like I'm 78 when I get up in the morning. There is no history of arthritis in my family. My mother lived to 94, my dad 92. They had little health issues, but not until they were old. I'm so depressed now, I don't want to be around friends. My feet hurt."

• Mar...
• May 12, 2014

"My doctor asked me to try Livalo for high cholesterol due to my blood sugar raising when I was on Atorvastatin. I stopped taking Atorvastatin because I had nightmares on it and felt like my legs had an aching, dull pain most of the time. Livalo is very expensive at $65.00 per month! I will get my numbers checked this week for Livalo. So far, I had pain in my fingers, palm of my hand, and knee pain for the first 2 weeks. After 1 month, all of the pain has subsided, but now I find my fasting glucose numbers are beginning to get higher than when not on cholesterol medication. If my fasting glucose continues to rise, I will stop taking Livalo even if it helps my cholesterol numbers."

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2011

"My doctor started me on 2 mg Livalo about seven weeks ago. No side effects of any kind. I don't take any other medication. Price is an issue, but I have coupons from my doctor. For now, I will stick to Livalo."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2015

"I am taking Livalo for several months due to the fact that other statins caused a lot of muscle pains. It has helped my cholesterol levels a lot. My issue is now my glucose levels are high, which is not normal for me. My doctor thought I could be diabetic. My glucose levels were normal before starting on this. Also, after reading the other reviews, I may have other reactions from it. Lower back pain that is dull. Shoulder and neck pain and headaches. I didn't connect it. I went to the chiropractor to try and help that. Now, I think it's time to discuss with my doctor that it could all be from the Livalo."

• bor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2014

"I was so hoping I could take Livalo. From the very beginning, I started having headaches. I thought it was from having allergies. Took it for two months. Started having tightness in chest, muscles hurting in shoulders, and neck. Getting tired just walking around in the apartment. Feeling feverish, no fever, chills. Itching, but other medicines I take say they can cause itching too, but itching got worse since taking Livalo. Stopped taking it one week ago today. Haven't told the doctor yet since I already had an appointment next week. I would rather watch my diet. Actually, the doctor said my heart was in good shape. Don't think I'm that bad off."

• jim...
• August 24, 2016

"I had 656 cholesterol triglycerides 1600. Off the chart, could not calculate other #'s from it being so high. I was on Lipitor, Crestor, and none worked very well, and I had old man syndrome, sore, tired. I was put on 2 mg Livalo, in 3 months, my triglycerides are 77. Total cholesterol 203, a great ratio of good to bad. Liver function excellent. No side effects. I was 194, now 175, mild BP 130 over 82, PR of 80. I am happy so far. Oh, I am a healthy, active 62-year-old."

• KRI...
• December 29, 2015

"I have been on Livalo 4 mg for over 2 years. It has decreased my cholesterol a lot, however, the past year, I have had more lower back pain, pain in my shoulder (the ortho doctor said tendinitis), and since June, I have developed abdominal pain. Had an MRI and ultrasound, nothing found. After getting my script filled, I just so happened to read the side effects (never usually do), and bam, there it was: abdominal pain, shoulder pain, lower back pain. I just switched doctors, so I am going to fill her in on what I found out to see how she wants to proceed. And it is very expensive, however, my doctor gave me a discount card, so I only pay $18 a month."

• Rud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

"59 years old. I tried statins and suffered leg cramping. New heart doc put me on Livalo. Said it doesn’t cause muscle issues. Took for less than a month. Severe stomach pain and flu-like symptoms of extreme diarrhea (eight days straight), low-grade fever, upper abdominal pain, general malaise. Incapacitated for over a week. Forgot to take it one day. Within 24 hours, diarrhea subsided as well as stomach pain and general malaise. Stayed off the drug for one week. Took it again to test and see if it may have been the flu. After three days, stomach pain recurred and stools started to soften. Called the doc. Talked to the assistant. She called back. Said the doc didn’t think these were side effects and that they can’t be expected to look at the pamphlets that come with the drugs. Won’t be going back to that doc. Also, blood tests while on showed high glucose. Done with statins. BTW, I’m on no other meds and generally quite healthy."

• 7xG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2015

"After having another stent placed in my heart, my new cardiologist tried me on generic Crestor, much to my dislike. I have tried them all, they all cause me extreme pain in my muscles, bones (back, legs, arms, feet, etc.), heart... Nightmares this time, confusion, headaches. Symptoms began within a few hours of taking it. He switched me to this Livalo, and the pain was worse. No thank you. I'll pass."

• AKJ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 7, 2024

"I have been taking statins since 2000! I started taking Livalo in 2015. It works great for me. My LDL stays between 40 or 50, and my HDL is usually above 70. My leg cramps are minimal. No other side effects noticed. I couldn't tolerate the other statins very well, plus they didn't work as well as Livalo."

• Anonymous
• May 14, 2016

"I had only taken this a short time, and my thumb muscles collapsed. I immediately quit, but I could not close my hand or make a fist. I now have carpal tunnel, and I am experiencing back muscle and nerve problems. I think my heart muscle may have been affected. This is horrid. A case where the cure is worse than the disease!"

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2019

"I started on Livalo on January 14, 2019. I realized today, exactly four weeks on the medication, that the pain in my neck is from the Livalo. I couldn’t understand why the “stiff neck” I’ve been suffering with would not go away. I actually sought a massage therapist and a chiropractor to help me with the pain that has lasted three weeks now! This is not a stiff neck! It’s the side effects of this medication! Throw it away!!! Change your diet to reduce your cholesterol!"

• M R...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 29, 2018

"Have taken all the statins, they all caused severe muscle problems. CPK was off the charts! I asked the Dr. about Livalo, which he didn't think too much about. I took 2 mg, and 30 days later, all my numbers were cut in half! It really does work, for some reason, I trust the Japanese. We tried 4 mg, and at that point, my muscle issues came back. So, I'm at 2 mg without any major issues. Skin is a little dry now and then, a little pain here and there, a little rash here and there. But overall, it really works. 40 mg of Lipitor or 2 mg of Livalo! I would go with less is more! My next mission is to take 2 mg every other day. It will still work according to my doctor! Less is more!"

• LMF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2019

"I have been taking Livalo 2 mg since 12/18 for high cholesterol. At the beginning, I had constipation issues, but that has gotten better. Recently, I am experiencing pain in one knee. It hurts when I take a step or if I’m going downstairs. I love taking Zumba classes, and I feel like I have to be very careful. I’ve never had a problem before taking this medicine. I emailed my doctor, and he said he has never heard of this medicine causing joint, knee, or leg pain! I see on the Livalo website that it can cause these issues. I saw one person’s comment about severe knee pain."

• Ann...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2019

"I've been using 2 mg of Livalo after a bad side effect experience with Lipitor. I've had no side effects with Livalo, and it does seem to be helping my cholesterol. I may have to go to a higher dosage, though, as I've been taking it for 2 years and my doctor says my LDLs are getting too high, even though my total cholesterol is below 200. My insurance doesn't cover this drug without a doctor's note that I've not been able to take 4 other statins due to bad side effects. My doctor has to write a new note every year for my insurance company to cover it, due to the high cost. Luckily, I am able to get the coupon discount the company provides, otherwise, I would not be able to afford this prescription."

• Cri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

"My doctor gave me one month's samples of Livalo, and I took them as directed. Several employees in the doctor's office commented on how expensive the drug is, so I wondered why he would have me try it; I was in the Medicare 'donut hole.' I experienced abdominal pain, widespread muscle pain, cognitive problems, and loss of manual dexterity owing to severe pain in my thumbs and 'trigger' fingers on both hands. The hand problems, specifically, are not side effects I had with previous statins. Livalo did NOT lower my cholesterol, but now, over two months after quitting, I cannot hold a cup of coffee with one hand. I think this drug should be taken off the market."

• Jee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2018

"Brain fog, lack of energy, sleeplessness, severe knee pain to the point of I cannot walk. Stairs are impossible. I cannot stay on this statin. I have tried many, but much more brain fog and severe pain in my knees with this one statin."

• Dav...
• June 28, 2017

"I just got my results of my first blood test after being on Livalo for two months. My total cholesterol was 189, and my good cholesterol was 60. Very happy with the results as my cholesterol hovered around 240 for the past 20 years. I had tried Crestor and Pravachol with bad muscle aches. My doctor finally talked me into trying another statin, since she said Livalo was better tolerated. So far, so good!"

• Aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2016

"Have trouble tolerating cholesterol meds, so my doctor gave me a sample of Livalo. The first day I took this drug, I felt like I had consumed vast quantities of caffeine. I slept poorly, felt depressed, and even had the shakes. I really wanted to find a medication to reduce my cholesterol, but the side effects of Livalo were just too prohibitive. It is also very expensive. Even with insurance, a 3-month supply was $125, and my insurance would not accept the drug manufacturer's coupon."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2019

"I had three abnormal EKGs, an abnormal echocardiogram, and an abnormal stress test and was experiencing fatigue and tightness in my chest. My doctor scheduled a heart catheterization suspecting blockage. She put me on Livalo 2 mg per day since I cannot tolerate other statins. Within three days, the chest tightness was gone. The heart catheterization was normal. Unfortunately, Livalo is so expensive my insurance won't pay for it and forced me to use an older statin. Why make these drugs if the price is so high that insurance and Medicare won't cover them? It does cause backaches and nausea, but nothing compared to Lipitor and Crestor. Guess I will try Bergamot instead and go natural."

• Yan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 12, 2020

"I have taken Livalo 2 mg for 9+ months. Recent bloodwork showed a 30% decrease in LDL, a slight increase in HDL, and a 30% decrease in triglycerides - good results! I have zero side effects, no muscle pain or stomach issues. Most importantly, this is the only statin that did NOT increase fasting glucose or A1c. It is pricey, though, and not covered by many insurance plans."

• RSH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2019

"Livalo is the 5th statin I have tried. I was on 4 mg. All the statins have lowered my numbers. But all had muscle pain, cramping, and joint ache. Livalo has been the worst. Within 3 months, my shoulder joints bothered me, my neck hurt and went into full spasm so badly I could hardly stand it (and my neck always had a spot that hurt). My lower back ached, had constipation, my joints (knees, ankles, hip/groin) cracked every day. The worst was a groin spasm (twice in a row) while walking that left me with a groin injury. It seems like my tendons/ligaments were under attack. I stopped Livalo, I feel much better."

• JLL...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 22, 2020

"Livalo is a great drug. On 2 mg LIVALO for 11 months now, my numbers are excellent - no more back pains (one of the side effects I had with my previous statins!). One additional side effect while on the last previous statin (Crestor) was A1C/blood glucose levels elevated - these increased in parallel with each higher dose of Crestor prescribed. Since being placed on Livalo 2 mg dosage, my A1C is excellent, averaging 5.9 - I do not have spikes in blood glucose, and my cholesterol levels are now well within limits, goals desired by both my cardiac and general practice medical physicians are now met!"

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2018

"I have taken other statins, but have been on Livalo since Jan 1. After a few weeks, I began experiencing upper thoracic pain after standing for a while. And the last couple of weeks, I have been so tired, esp about 9:30 am and later afternoon, that I would like to take a nap. I have tried, but I am not a daytime sleeper, so I don't rest, much less sleep. My balance is off, and I nearly fell a few times. One more thing, I cannot get warm; and that has been since the beginning of January. Oh, and this morning I was greeted by moderate discomfort down my posterior right thigh. Normally, I am a very active woman, but not so much lately."