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Livalo Side Effects

Generic name: pitavastatin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 21, 2023.

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

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

Incidence not known

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

  • Back pain
  • 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]

Genitourinary

Postmarketing reports: Erectile dysfunction[Ref]

Immunologic

Statin use:

Postmarketing reports: Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy

Frequently asked questions

References

1. "Product Information. Livalo (pitavastatin)." Kowa Pharmaceuticals America (formerly ProEthic) (2010):

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer