Understanding Cholesterol
What is cholesterol?
- Cholesterol is made by your body in the liver. It’s a waxy, fat-like substance found in the walls of cells in all parts of your body, from the nervous system to the liver.
- Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs in order to work the right way. It uses cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods.
- Cholesterol is also found in foods with a large percentage of saturated fats, such as egg yolks, whole-milk dairy products, and high-fat meats.
- Cholesterol travels in the bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins. Two main kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol in the blood. It’s important to have healthy levels of both.
What are the two major types of cholesterol?
- 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.
What is high cholesterol?
When the level of LDL “bad” cholesterol in your blood is high, the condition can be serious. By itself, high cholesterol does not cause any symptoms, so many people are unaware of it.
LIVALO® has not been studied to evaluate its effect on reducing heart-related disease or death.
The chart below lists various levels of cholesterol. Be sure to ask your doctor about how often your cholesterol should be checked.
What do the following cholesterol numbers mean?
Please keep in mind that your doctor is the best source of information on cholesterol and what specific levels may mean to your health.
| LDL “BAD” Cholesterol |
| <100 mg/dL |
Optimal |
| 100-129 mg/dL |
Near Optimal/Above Optimal |
| 130-159 mg/dL |
Borderline High |
| 160-189 mg/dL |
High |
| ≥190 mg/dL |
Very High |
| HDL “GOOD” Cholesterol |
| <40 mg/dL |
Low |
| Triglycerides |
| <150 mg/dL |
Normal |
| 150-199 mg/dL |
Borderline High |
| 200-499 mg/dL |
High |
| ≥500 mg/dL |
Very High |
| Total Cholesterol |
| <200 mg/dL |
Desirable |
| 200-239 mg/dL |
Borderline High |
| ≥240 mg/dL |
High |
Adapted from National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III).
What should I do about my high cholesterol?
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, may help to lower LDL “bad” cholesterol. If diet and exercise don’t lower your total cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe a statin like LIVALO. Always talk to your doctor before starting or changing any diet and exercise program.
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.