LIVALO® (pitavastatin) tablets is a prescription medicine that, along with diet, has been approved for the treatment of high cholesterol. LIVALO has not been studied to evaluate its effect on reducing heart-related disease or death.

What should I talk to my doctor about?

  • If you take LIVALO, tell your doctor right away if you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by fever or a general feeling of discomfort. This could be a sign of a rare but serious side effect.
  • Your doctor should do blood tests to monitor your liver function before starting LIVALO, and then at 12 weeks following the start of LIVALO, after any increase in dose, and periodically (e.g., every 6 months) thereafter.

LIVALO® FAQs

Below are the answers to many common questions. Please keep in mind that your doctor is the best source of information on high cholesterol as it relates to your specific situation.

Q. Where does cholesterol come from?

A. Cholesterol is produced naturally in your liver. You can also find it in foods with a large percentage of saturated fats, such as egg yolks, whole-milk dairy products, and high-fat meats.

Q. What makes some cholesterol “good” for my health and other cholesterol “bad”?

A. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL-C, is called “good” cholesterol because it takes cholesterol from tissues to the liver, which removes it from the body. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C, is called “bad” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol to tissues, including the arteries. Most of the cholesterol in the blood is the LDL-C form.

Q. What does my medical history have to do with maintaining a healthy level of cholesterol and triglycerides?

A. To be sure, ask your doctor. Your healthcare professional can tell you about different reasons that you may develop buildup in your arteries. These include LDL “bad” cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, age, obesity, and a family history of heart disease. Certain ethnic groups are also more susceptible to high cholesterol than others. LIVALO has not been studied to evaluate its effect on reducing heart-related disease or death.

Q. How can I lower the level of my LDL “bad” cholesterol?

A. Healthy eating habits and regular exercise are both important factors when working to lower your LDL “bad” cholesterol. Even small changes in your diet, such as eating foods with more soluble fiber and reducing your saturated fats, can help to lower LDL “bad” cholesterol. If diet and exercise don’t lower your total cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe a statin like LIVALO.

Q. How can I avoid a drug interaction between my cholesterol medication and other drugs that I’m taking?

A. Talk with your doctor about all of the medications that you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements to help avoid a drug interaction. The more drugs that are metabolized by a shared pathway, the greater chance for drug interaction. You might not be aware that approximately 75% of all drugs processed in the body share a common metabolic pathway known as cytochrome P450 (CYP). LIVALO reduces your cholesterol, but it’s not dependent on this pathway in order to be processed.

Q. Many cholesterol medications warn that I must limit the amount of grapefruit juice that I drink when taking their medication. Can I still drink grapefruit juice if I take LIVALO?

A. Yes, with LIVALO you can continue to enjoy grapefruit juice. You can also take LIVALO with or without food.

Talk to your doctor to find out if LIVALO tablets are right for you.

Glossary

Important Safety Information for LIVALO® (pitavastatin) Tablets

Who should NOT take LIVALO?

LIVALO is not right for everyone, including:
  • Those who have had an allergic reaction to LIVALO
  • Anyone with active liver disease
  • Women who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant
  • Anyone currently taking cyclosporine

What should I talk to my doctor about?

  • If you take LIVALO, tell your doctor right away if you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by fever or a general feeling of discomfort. This could be a sign of a rare but serious side effect.
  • Your doctor should do blood tests to monitor your liver function before starting LIVALO, and then at 12 weeks following the start of LIVALO, after any increase in dose, and periodically (e.g., every 6 months) thereafter.
  • Please talk to your doctor about your alcohol use.
  • Tell your doctor about all the medications you take including nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

What are the most common side effects of LIVALO?

The most common side effects of LIVALO in clinical studies were:
  • Back pain
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle pain
  • Pain in the legs or arms

This is not a complete list of side effects.

Other Important Information about LIVALO

  • LIVALO has not been studied to evaluate its effect on reducing heart-related disease or death.
  • LIVALO is available by prescription only.

Please see Full Prescribing Information.
PS73370 LIV-RA-0032    8/2011

What else should I know about LIVALO?

  • LIVALO can be taken with or without food. It’s even okay to continue drinking grapefruit juice.
  • LIVALO is available in 1-mg, 2-mg, and 4-mg doses.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.