Pitavastatin and Muscle Aches: What Users Say

• Sue...
• May 1, 2011

For High Cholesterol "I have taken statins for the past 20 years, having to change regularly because of side effects of muscular pains. Triglycerides were high also. HDL low. LDL high. Cholesterol level 4 months ago was 325. Started taking Livalo for the first time. Blood work 3 months later - Cholesterol 197, Triglycerides the lowest I have ever, ever had. HDL high. LDL low. Never had these kinds of results before. Very happy. I have had muscle cramps in hands, feet and legs at times. Thought it might be due to low potassium or magnesium. Blood work proved to be normal range for both. Perhaps it is the Livalo."

• KCJ...
• February 23, 2014

For High Cholesterol "Cardiologist put me on this because I had muscle cramping and pain on Crestor and other statins. Took a very low dose once a week. Tolerated it well for about 2 months, then started having muscle cramping in my leg so severe that I was completely unable to sleep. Have not had cholesterol levels checked, but I will have to stop taking this."

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

For High Cholesterol "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!"

• LOU...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2019

For High Cholesterol "After taking Livalo, I developed several side effects like aching muscles and joints and sniffles, but the biggest one is constant hot flashes. Haven't had hot flashes for 5 years. Now every hour. Stopped taking 2 weeks ago, I'm still having hot flashes several times a day."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 6, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I am a 59-year-old male, in good health, and began a life change in July of '20. I ride 30-40 miles on my bike each week and am down over 50 pounds. I eat sensibly and feel better than I ever have! I’ve tried every form of statin for years with frustration. All caused me muscle discomfort until Livalo. My cardiologist prescribed 2 mg each night in August, a month after beginning my exercise program. He also sent me to my PCP for labs. The results of those labs were good, with the exception of HDL, which was slightly low (38 for a recommendation of 39 or greater). My total cholesterol was 145, which was not bad, but since the cardiologist was insisting, I began the medication. Since then, I have been able to come off 2 blood pressure medications and now only take Livalo. I received the results of a lipids test and will no longer be taking Livalo. Although my HDL did go from 38 to 63, my total cholesterol increased from 145 to 246. It appears Livalo is detrimental to my levels! I’m done!"

• DJP...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2025

For Dyslipidemia "After experiencing a range of intolerable side effects while trying a sequence of traditional, inexpensive statins, Pitavastatin, aka Livalo, has worked well. Livalo was my last resort, albeit a significantly more expensive choice, costing more than 10 times the price of the old, more familiar statins. Fortunately, while on Livalo, I have had no GI upset, no muscle issues, and no memory problems. My LDL is down significantly (almost 20%), while my HDL seems to be unchanged. My triglycerides are down only slightly more than statistically noticeable, but my dietary restriction of carbohydrate intake being kept to a very low level has had the greatest effect on successfully managing a meaningful reduction of my triglyceride level."