RX Deepdive: Livalo

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that can be found in your blood. While the body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease by causing fatty deposits in the blood vessels. When these deposits grow, it becomes difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. They can also break suddenly and form clots that cause a heart attack or stroke. Because those with high cholesterol don’t show any symptoms, it must be detected through a blood test.

Luckily, high cholesterol can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. In addition to exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, and quitting smoking, you may be prescribed a Livalo, a drug used to improve blood cholesterol levels.

What is Livalo?

Livalo (pitavastatin) is a cholesterol-lowering medication that belongs to the statin class of drugs. Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol and Livalo is one of the more potent statins on the market. Livalo is used in cases in conjunction with diet, lifestyle changes, and/or other medications.

How does Livalo work?

Livalo works by blocking an enzyme called 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase. This enzyme is an important protein required for the production of cholesterol in the body. When Livalo is present to block this enzyme, it reduces the amount of total cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol in the body.

How should Livalo be taken?

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking Livalo. It comes in tablet form and can be taken with or without food. Doses should not exceed 4 mg a day. Livalo is usually prescribed when lifestyle changes or other medications are not effectively lowering your lipids, and is usually prescribed in conjunction with a diet to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides. An important part of taking Livalo is to attend and keep your doctor’s appointments, so that they can continue to monitor your lipid levels while you take this medication.

What are the side effects of Livalo?

While Livalo may cause certain side effects, it also may be better for patients who have not tolerated other statins well and need a medication with less muscle pain as a side effect. Additionally, Livalo (pitavastatin) has fewer drug interactions compared to other statins so it may be a good option for those who take multiple medications.

Common side effects include:

• Muscle pain
• Back Pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Pain in feet/hands

Talk with your provider or book a free consultation with an expert Medly pharmacist today to see if Livalo is right for you.