Livalo Side Effects

Generic name: pitavastatin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 31, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Livalo.

Applies to pitavastatin: oral tablet Side Effects associated with pitavastatin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Livalo.

Applies to pitavastatin: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not use cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®) while you are using this medicine. Using these medicines together may cause serious side effects.

Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have unusual tiredness or a fever. These may be symptoms of serious muscle problems, including myopathy or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).

Call your doctor right away if you have dark urine, diarrhea, a fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or feel very tired or weak. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.

Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, light-colored stools, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of liver problem.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you use this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major tests, major surgery, a major injury, or if you develop other serious health problems.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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:

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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to pitavastatin: oral tablet.

General adverse events

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]

Genitourinary

• Postmarketing reports: Erectile dysfunction^[Ref]

Immunologic

Statin use:

• Postmarketing reports: Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• How is Livalo different from other statins?
• When is the best time of day to take Livalo?
• Can you drink alcohol while taking Livalo?
• What are the side effects of statins?
• Do statins help treat COVID-19?

Further information

Livalo side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer