Pitavastatin and Back Pain: What Users Say

• lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Livalo did bring my numbers down very well in about 6 weeks. However, I am now off it with my doctor's blessing as I cannot take the side effects of terrible shoulder pain as well as hands, neck, back, knees, and the worsening of neuropathy in the feet and a dull ache in the head. Experienced increased thirst, feeling of having a fever (though not). My memory was not as sharp. I have experienced this on Lipitor, Crestor, Vitorin, Pravastatin, and now Livalo. My doctor said he does not want me in pain and said there are people who have high numbers but still do fine. Have been off Livalo for about a week and see symptoms improving. I am tired of living on 'Statin Island', so once again I have moved on. Am trying plant sterols, pectin, fiber, oats."

• Lmt...
• December 30, 2015

For High Cholesterol "Male, 56 years old. Work out three times a week. Started Livalo four weeks ago. No muscle pain but started to get extreme back pain in the morning while waking up. Also, the memory loss and confusion were severe. Actually went to neurologist to check me for dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Tired of the statins and their severe side effects. Tried most of the popular ones."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• KRI...
• December 29, 2015

For High Cholesterol "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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2016

For High Cholesterol "Dr. put me on Livalo. I took it for a few months, 2 mg, then he increased it to 4 mg. I did start with very bad upper back pain, hot flashes, and weakness, but the worst side effect was horrible hives. The hives gradually got worse until I pinpointed Livalo as being the culprit. I took myself off, and gradually the hives diminished. I'm still having hives, just not as bad, but bad enough to bring me to tears. I was also diagnosed with eczema a few years back, which I don't think I have. It's a mystery to most. The hives have not completely gone away, now every night I get them. The first time I went to the doctor, she told me to take Benadryl at night and Losartan in the morning. It helped for a few weeks, but the hives started coming back. I'm miserable."

• Kis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2019

For Dyslipidemia "I had way worse pain on Livalo than other statins, this is a terrible drug. Neck ache, back ache, ribcage pain, and massive irritability. I had no pleasure in life on this med, only pain and irritation."

• AZ-...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2018

For High Cholesterol "After a few years of not taking statins, my doc convinced me to try Livalo. He said it's great for people who have side effects. Well, he's wrong. I'm only on 1 mg daily, and after less than 2 weeks, I have everything from constant gas to crying fits to back pain to having chunks of my hair fall out. I'm normally very active, but I'm so tired all the time, all I've been doing is working and watching TV. And my libido is gone, much to my husband's dismay. I have my follow-up in a month, but I'm considering discontinuing the meds and canceling that appointment. Thankfully, I got free samples because it is very pricey medication."