Livalo (pitavastatin) is a prescription drug that belongs to a group of drugs known as ‘statins’ or HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. It reduces the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood and increases the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Livalo drug is used in treating high cholesterol in the adults and thus prevents hardening of arteries and diseases such as heart attack, vascular diseases and stroke.
How Livalo works
Statins block enzyme HMG-CoA reductase and help in bringing the level of cholesterol in the blood down.
Pitavastatin is used along with a change in lifestyle, regular exercise and healthy diet to improve heart health and level of cholesterol. Also, you need to quit smoking and alcohol. It may also be used in combination with other medicines.
*Pitavastatin may also be prescribed by the doctor for purposes that are not listed in this article.
Livalo dosing information
Doses of the drug depend on the medical condition of the patient, other medications he/she is taking and response to the treatment.
*Consult your doctor to acknowledge the proper dosage.
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipidemia:
- Initial dose: 2 mg in a day
- Maintenance dose: 1 to 4 mg in a day
- Maximum dose: 4 mg in a day
This medicine comes in the form of oral tablets to be taken by mouth with or without food once in a day. Make sure to take it at the same time every day. The medicine needs to be taken regularly and should be continued even after you start feeling well. It may take about four weeks before you start getting the benefits of Livalo.
*Regular blood test is required to know if the drug if working for you
Take the drug as directed by your doctor to avoid any risk. Talk to your doctor if you miss a dose. It is usually advised to take medicine as soon as you remember but if you remember just a few hours before the next schedule, it is recommended to take only one dose. Ingesting two doses at once to make up for the missed dose may be dangerous.
Immediately seek medical help if you have overdosed.
Do not take medicine for a longer duration or in smaller or more significant amount than prescribed by the doctor. Your doctor may change your dose occasionally for the best results.
Discontinue medicine for a short time if you have:
- Uncontrolled seizures
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Severe illness or infection
- Medical surgery or emergency
- Severe low blood pressure
- Dehydration
* Store the medicine away form light heat and moisture at room temperature.
Necessary information regarding Livalo Side effects
Most of the people taking pitavastatin do not experience any serious side effects. Still, you need to consult your doctor before taking this drug. Livalo is prescribed by your physician only after evaluating your health condition and judging the fact that the medicine is more beneficial to you than the risks associated with it.
A few people have reported confusion and mild memory issues after taking this medicine. Immediately stop taking medicine and see your doctor if you experience following severe Livalo side effects:
- Unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness or pain.
- Memory issues and confusion.
- Dark coloured urine, fever and unusual tiredness
- Kidney symptoms- Increase urination, thirst, hunger. Dry mouth, dry skin. Fruity breath. Blurred vision and drowsiness. Loss of weight
- Liver symptoms- Pain in upper stomach, nausea, loss of appetite clay-coloured stool, yellowing of eyes a skin, dark urine.
Other less serious Livalo side effects:
- Mild back pain
- Pain in legs and arms
- Mild muscle pain
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Mild skin rash
Get emergency medical help if you see following signs of allergy:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling of tongue, lips. throat and face
- Hives
*Livalo interacts differently in different person. It is possible that after taking this drug, the patient may experience symptoms that are not listed here. Call your doctor in that case.
Who should not take Livalo
If you have liver disease or you are allergic to pitavastatin, do not take Livalo. Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women should avoid this medicine. If you are taking this medicine and you get pregnant stop it immediately and talk to your doctor. This drug can cause congenital disabilities in the unborn baby.
If people with underactive thyroid takes Livalo, there is increased the risk of muscle problems.
Pitavastatin may increase the level of blood sugar, and so people with diabetes need to be carefully monitored if taking this medicine.
Also, without medical advise this medicine is not to be given to anyone below 18 years old.
If you have a history of liver disease or you take more than two alcoholic beverage in a day let your doctor know before taking pitavastatin as it may increase the risk of liver damage.
Our body is not able to clear this drug well. So if you have active kidney issue or history of kidney disease, let your doctor know. If required in such case your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this drug.
If you are taking any medicine, herbs or vitamin supplements, let your doctor know to avoid interactions.
A few drugs that interact with pitavastatin are:
Antibiotics: Interaction of certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin and telithromycin raise Livalo side effects.
Blood-thinning medicines- The effect of warfarin may be increased with Livalo and increases the risk of bleeding. If you are taking this medicine along with warfarin, your doctor needs to monitor you closely.
Cholesterol drugs– Interaction of Livalo with cholesterol drugs such as fenofibrate, niacin and gemfibrozil increases the risk of muscle pain and severe muscle breakdown.
Interaction with other drugs– Gout medicine colchicine, tuberculosis drug rifampin and immunosuppressant drug cyclosporin when given with Livalo increases the amount of pitavastatin in the body and increases the risk of Livalo side effects.
Disclaimer: Through our article, we tried our best to provide you with current and most relevant information. However, the information provided here is not a substitute for medical advice.
