Livalo Side Effects

Generic name: pitavastatin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 30, 2024.

Note: This document contains side effect information about pitavastatin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Livalo.

Applies to pitavastatin: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Livalo

Along with its needed effects, pitavastatin (the active ingredient contained in Livalo) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking pitavastatin:

Less common

Back pain
difficulty with moving
joint pain
muscle ache, cramp, pain, or stiffness
pain in the arms and legs
swollen joints

Incidence not known

Chills
clay-colored stools
cough
dark urine
diarrhea
difficulty breathing
dizziness
fever
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
hives or welts, itching skin, or rash
loss of appetite
muscle spasm
nausea
runny nose
shivering
sore throat
stomach pain
sweating
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of Livalo

Some side effects of pitavastatin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Difficulty having a bowel movement

Incidence not known

Burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
discouragement
feeling sad or empty
inability to have or keep an erection
irritability
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of interest or pleasure
loss of memory
problems with memory
redness of the skin
trouble concentrating
unsteadiness or awkwardness
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to pitavastatin: oral tablet.

General

The most frequently reported side effects have included myalgia, back pain, diarrhea, constipation, and extremity pain.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, diarrhea

Postmarketing reports: Abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, myalgia, pain in extremity

Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, rhabdomyolysis, myopathy, myositis, elevated creatinine phosphokinase

Postmarketing reports: Muscle spasm^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Bilirubin increased, liver enzymes abnormal, elevated transaminases, elevated alkaline phosphatase

Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, jaundice, fatal hepatic failure, nonfatal hepatic failure^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Rash, pruritus, urticaria^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Influenza, creatine phosphokinase increased, transaminases increased, alkaline phosphatase increased

Postmarketing reports: Asthenia, fatigue, malaise^[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Headache

Postmarketing reports: Dizziness, hypoesthesia, peripheral neuropathy^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: HbA1c elevations, fasting serum glucose elevations, increased blood glucose^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure, myoglobinuria^[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Nasopharyngitis

Postmarketing reports: Interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus, and urticaria^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Postmarketing reports: Insomnia, depression

Statin use:

Postmarketing report: Confusion, cognitive impairment, memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment^[Ref]

There have been reports of cognitive impairment such as memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment, and confusion associated with statin use. These reports are generally nonserious, and reversible with drug discontinuation. Time to symptom onset has been reported as 1 day to years with resolution at a median of 3 weeks following discontinuation.^[Ref]