Pitavastatin and 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."

• 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."

• BAR...
• December 17, 2011

For High Cholesterol "My 81-year-old father took 2 pills of Livalo. He stopped it because he was in pain right away. He still complains of pain, and it has been at least a year since taking it. He is off all statins because he reacts to them."

• Mar...
• May 12, 2014

For High Cholesterol "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."

• 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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• 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!"

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• Pum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Have been on 2 mg per day for 10 days. (Have tried four other statin meds years ago, but bad side effects and one allergic reaction resulted in discontinuance of the drugs.) With Livalo, side effects started three days ago. I am having intermittent stabbing pain around the knee area, hip pain, spasms in toes with pain, foggy memory, intermittent stomach pain, intermittent neck/shoulder pain, constant fatigue, and a feeling of a lump in my throat that negatively affects my sleep. (Will be seeing another cardiologist tomorrow for a second opinion regarding the condition of my heart.) After a CT of coronary arteries seven months ago, I was told by my cardiologist that the artery that makes widows is bad, resulting in my heart being like a volcano that could erupt any time. I have sticky cholesterol and a reading of HDL 66, LDL 156, triglycerides 110, prior to starting Livalo and without taking any other statin. Will be retested in 4 weeks but not sure whether I will continue on Livalo."

• 53 ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I tried 2 different statins that caused me horrid pains while sleeping and refused to use them again. Insurance would not allow Livalo unless I suffered for at least 6 months with a cheaper statin. Doctor gave free samples to me, and I cut them in half to use. Felt pain the first day used and stopped the medication after 3 days. No different from cheaper statins."

• icy...
• November 20, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I took Livalo 2 mg every other day for 2 weeks, a total of 5 pills. Now I have neck and shoulder pain with stiffness, weak ankles, knees, and hip pain. I have been on other statins with muscle pains, but this is the worst. I have not taken any more Livalo in 4 days. Some muscle pains are better, but the neck and shoulder are the worst today. I am tired of trying statins. I am done!!!!"

• icy...
• November 20, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I took Livalo 2 mg every other day for 2 weeks, a total of 5 pills. Now I have neck and shoulder pain with stiffness, weak ankles, knees, and hip pain. I have been on other statins with muscle pains, but this is the worst. I have not taken any more Livalo in 4 days. Some muscle pains are better, but the neck and shoulder are the worst today. I am tired of trying statins. I am done!!!!"

• Old...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I have never tolerated statins, but my doc insisted as my HDL is 255, but my LDL is 76. I agreed to try 2 mg every other day. But I am quitting as the same leg pains as all the other statins keep me up at night. And I have neuropathy and just heard that statins might make it worse. I don’t need worse neuropathy! I’m 77. I think statins are going to be a hard no for me."

• Twi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Livalo has worked well for me in terms of numbers. Had ankle and Achilles tendon pain with Lipitor and Crestor. I am Medicare age and still working since my employer covers Livalo costs, over $700 for 90 days. Medicare doesn't cover."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I took Livalo for about 3 months. I got depressed, constipated, had pain in my legs, couldn't get out of bed, loss of appetite, and felt like I was 90 years old. Shortness of breath. Loss of the desire to do anything. Couldn't walk 50' without shortness of breath. I got off, but I'm still experiencing side effects from taking this medicine. I'm off all statins and will never take them again."

• Pit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I have been on Livalo for approximately 5 years. For the past 2 years, I have been having confusion, trouble finding words, and severe neuropathy in my feet. My feet burn and ache so badly I can't sleep at night. I never once attributed it to this medicine, I just thought it was something I would have to live with, the joys of getting older (60). I finally mentioned it to my doctor, and she suggested I go off of the Livalo for two weeks and see how I feel. Today is Friday, and I quit taking it on Wednesday. My feet have gone from a pain level of 10 to about a 2. I can't believe how much better I feel. I took Lipitor before Livalo and experienced severe leg pain."

• Cwb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I started Livalo in Feb 2022. Having bad muscle pain from previous stints taking statins, I was happy that the issue did not arise again… at first. It’s now mid-May 2022, and I’ve noticed really painful left heel pain and then started noticing right neck and shoulder pain and tingling in my right arm. I’ve decided to stop taking Livalo to see if the pain recedes, which I’m sure will be the case after stopping other statin meds. Good results, though, on the numbers-I just can’t tolerate the side effects."

• Cwb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I started Livalo in Feb 2022. Having bad muscle pain from previous stints taking statins, I was happy that the issue did not arise again… at first. It’s now mid-May 2022, and I’ve noticed really painful left heel pain and then started noticing right neck and shoulder pain and tingling in my right arm. I’ve decided to stop taking Livalo to see if the pain recedes, which I’m sure will be the case after stopping other statin meds. Good results, though, on the numbers-I just can’t tolerate the side effects."

• Liv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I had shoulder pain and lots of neck cramping. I take Livalo 2 mg at night and Losartan Potassium 25 mg in the morning. I'm not sure which medication is causing the pain issues, but I'm seriously considering stopping the Losartan first. I will know more once my six-month lab report is completed."