Livalo

Livalo is used to treat high cholesterol and triglycerides level. It is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also called statins. It reduces production of a certain fatty acid substance in the body including cholesterol by blocking an enzyme essential for its production. It also increases high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) in the body. It plays an important role in the prevention of medical diseases like heart attack and strokes.

It is available in the form of the tablet only with your doctor’s prescription.

Before using Livalo, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Before starting the treatment your doctor should be informed about conditions such as:

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children: There are no adequate studies done which prove Pitavastatin harmful effects in children. Use it after consulting your doctor.

Elderly: This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults. However, it should be used with caution if there are kidney and liver problems.

Pregnancy: It is a category X drug. Do not use it in pregnancy as it can cause abnormalities in an unborn baby. If you suspect that you are pregnant while using Pitavastatin, inform your doctor right away.

Breast Feeding: Pitavastatin may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Drug Interactions: Pitavastatin may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug.

Some of them are listed below:

• Colchicine
• Cyclosporine
• Daptomycin
• Erythromycin
• Fibrates (Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil)
• Niacin and Rifampin because they may increase the risk of Pitavastatin's side effects, including muscle or kidney problems

Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• Diabetes.
• Kidney problems.
• Low blood pressure.
• Serious infection.
• History of seizures.
• Dehydration.
• If you have muscle problems (e.g., pain, weakness).
• An underactive thyroid.
• If you have metabolism, hormonal, endocrine, or electrolyte problems.
• If you drink alcohol.
• History of liver problems.
• Alcohol abuse.
• If you are on dialysis.
• Recently had major surgery or a serious injury.

To use Livalo properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Use it exactly as your doctor directed. It can be taken with or without food. Do not stop taking it even if you feel better.

Your doctor may give you a diet plan which includes low sugar, low cholesterol, and fat foods.

Avoid drinking a large amount of alcohol while using Pitavastatin as it may cause unwanted side effects on the liver.

Dosage: It is different for different patients. Dosage mentioned below is an average dose. You must follow your doctor’s command.

For high cholesterol:

Adults: 2 milligrams (mg) once a day. The dose should not be more than 4 mg.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your daily schedule. Doubling the dose is harmful.

Storage: Store it at room temperature. Keep it away from children.

Before using Livalo, there are some precautions you must take.

Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits. Use an effective form of birth control methods as Pitavastatin can harm an unborn baby.

Pitavastatin can cause myopathy (muscle problem). Inform your doctor if you experience any muscle pain, weakness.

It can also cause rhabdomyolysis (serious muscle problem), its symptoms are dark-colored urine, diarrhea, a fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or feel very tired or weak.

It can cause kidney problems. It can cause damage to the liver.

Go to your doctor if you experience a headache, stomach pain, vomiting, dark-colored urine, loss of appetite, weight loss, general feeling of tiredness or weakness, light-colored stools, upper right stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Pitavastatin before you receive any medical, dental or surgery care.

It may alter your blood sugar levels. Keep a track on your blood sugar level.

A very serious side effect may occur if you use Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) together with Pitavastatin.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Livalo to avoid unwanted potential side effects.

All medicines have some side effects. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent:

More common are:

• Back pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Less common are:

• Difficulty with moving
• Joint pain
• Muscle aching or cramping
• Muscle pains or stiffness
• Pain in the arms and legs
• Swollen joints

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.