* The product images are for reference only. Generic equivalents may also be supplied by alternate manufacturers.
Ordering Livalo (Pitavastatin)
At CanadianPharmacyWorld, we provide access to this medication for patients with a valid prescription from their healthcare provider. As a licensed pharmacy, we are committed to providing significant savings while ensuring our customers receive safe, affordable medications delivered directly to their homes. To learn more about our dedication to pharmacy standards, please visit our
About Us page.
Available Brands and Generic Variants
The brand Livalo tablets are manufactured by Kowa Pharmaceuticals in the United States.
The generic pitavastatin:
• Inda (Pivasta by Zydus Healthcare)
Dosage Strengths and Available Forms
Livalo and generic pitavastatin are both available in 1mg, 2mg, and 4mg doses.
Usage and Indications
Livalo, when used alongside a proper diet, reduces LDL (low-density lipoprotein), also known as the “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein), also known as the “good” cholesterol. It belongs to a group of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (or “statins”) and works by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver.
Possible Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Common Side Effects - If any of the following side effects persist or cause you concern, contact your healthcare provider for guidance:
• Arm or leg pain (extremity pain)
• Back pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain (myalgia)
Other Potential Side Effects (less common) - The following list includes side effects that are reported less frequently by individuals:
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Dizziness
• Fatigue or malaise
• Headache
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Joint pain (arthralgia)
• Muscle spasms or cramps
• Nausea
• Skin rash or itching (pruritus)
Serious Side Effects – Although serious reactions are rare, they require immediate medical attention. Stop using medication and call your doctor or emergency services immediately if any of the following occur:
• Cognitive Impairment: Rare reports of reversible memory loss, forgetfulness, or confusion.
• Elevated Liver Enzymes: Signs of liver stress; symptoms may include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or upper abdominal pain.
• High Blood Sugar: Increases in blood glucose or HbA1c; symptoms include increased thirst or frequent urination.
• Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy (IMNM): A rare autoimmune condition that causes persistent muscle weakness even after the drug is discontinued.
• Rhabdomyolysis: A rare but serious breakdown of muscle tissue that releases myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can lead to acute kidney injury. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice 'cola-colored' urine or severe muscle weakness.
• Severe Allergic Reaction: Symptoms include hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing.
Absolute Contraindications
Before starting treatment with this medication, it is important to identify certain medical conditions that preclude its use. Do NOT take Livalo if the following conditions exist:
• Cyclosporine Use: (an immunosuppressant) taking these medications together significantly increases the risk of severe muscle damage.
• Hypersensitivity: a known allergy or hypersensitivity to pitavastatin or any of the inactive ingredients in the tablet.
• Liver Disease (Active): including acute liver failure, decompensated cirrhosis, or unexplained, persistent elevations in liver enzyme tests.
• Pregnancy (Lactation): Livalo is not recommended during lactation due to potential risks to the infant.
Medical Conditions Requiring Consultation
The following conditions warrant a detailed discussion with a healthcare provider before starting this medication, as they may need to be adjusted or avoided to ensure patient safety:
• Advanced Age: Age 65 years or older, which increases the risk of statin-related muscle issues.
• Alcohol Use: History of substantial alcohol consumption or alcohol abuse.
• Diabetes: Pre-diabetes or diabetes, as statins may lead to slight increases in blood sugar or HbA1c levels.
• Hypothyroidism: Inadequately treated or uncontrolled hypothyroidism is a predisposing factor for myopathy.
• Kidney Disease: Moderate to severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which requires a lower starting and maximum dose.
• Liver Problems: A history of liver disease (not currently active).
• Neuromuscular Disorders: History of muscle aches, weakness, or neuromuscular conditions that may increase the risk of myopathy.
• Planned Surgery or Serious Illness: Upcoming major surgery, trauma, or acute conditions like sepsis that may temporarily increase the risk of kidney failure.
Drug Interactions
Understanding how Livalo interacts with other substances is essential for safe and effective treatment. The following medications may require close monitoring or dosage adjustments when taken concurrently:
• Erythromycin (Ery-Tab, EryPed): This antibiotic significantly increases blood pitavastatin levels. If co-administered, the dose of Livalo should not exceed 1 mg once daily.
• Gemfibrozil (Lopid): Concomitant use should be avoided. Gemfibrozil can cause myopathy when taken alone, and combining it with Livalo further increases the risk of severe muscle breakdown and kidney injury.
• Rifampin (Rifadin): This medication increases the peak exposure of pitavastatin. When taken together, the dose of Livalo should not exceed 2 mg once daily.
Other Notable Interactions• Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare): Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported when colchicine is used with statins. This combination should be used with caution, particularly in elderly patients or those with renal impairment.
• Fibrates (Fenofibrate, Fenofibric acid): While less restrictive than gemfibrozil, other fibrates can still increase the risk of adverse skeletal muscle effects. The benefit of combined lipid-lowering therapy should be carefully weighed against the risk of myopathy.
• Niacin (Niacor, Niaspan): The risk of skeletal muscle effects is increased when Livalo is taken with lipid-modifying doses of niacin (defined as 1 gram per day or higher). Use with caution and monitor for muscle pain or weakness.
• Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven): Livalo has shown a minimal effect on warfarin levels in clinical studies, adding any statin to a warfarin regimen carries a potential risk of altering your INR. Close monitoring of prothrombin time is essential during the initiation of therapyHowever, it is standard clinical practice to monitor the prothrombin time or INR when adding any statin to a warfarin regimen.
Storage and Safety Information
Store Livalo at room temperature, away from extreme heat, light, and moisture.
Limit alcohol intake while using Livalo. Drinking alcohol daily can strain the liver and raise triglyceride levels, which may increase the risk of serious liver problems when combined with Livalo.
Discontinue Livalo if you become pregnant. While previously strictly contraindicated, the decision to use statins during pregnancy should now be a personalized discussion with your doctor based on your specific cardiovascular risk.
Keep out of children’s reach. Do not give Livalo to anyone under 18 without medical advice.
Seek emergency help or call Poison Control at 1-800-463-5060 immediately if you suspect an overdose.
Blog Post
10,000 Steps a Day for Heart HealthThe content on this page has been supplied to canadianpharmacyworld.com by an independent third party contracted to provide information for our website. Canadianpharmacyworld.com relies on these third parties to create and maintain this information and cannot guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information that has been provided to us.
The drug information provided here is only a summary and does not contain all the list of possible side effects and drug interactions regarding this medication. Be sure to contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any specific question or concern. If you require any advice or information about the drugs on this page, a medical condition or treatment advice, you should always speak to a healthcare professional.
Please note that not all products, including any referenced in this page, are shipped by our affiliated Canadian Pharmacy. We are affiliated with other dispensaries that ship product to our customers from the following jurisdictions: Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, Turkey, Mauritius, India, and United Kingdom. The items in your order maybe shipped from any of the above jurisdictions. The products are sourced from various countries as well as those listed above. Rest assured, we only affiliate with our authorized dispensaries that procure product through reliable sources.