Before taking Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg, especially muscle problems.
Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg must not be used during pregnancy. Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss using at least 2 reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Discuss with your doctor when you should stop Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg if you are trying to become pregnant.
It is unknown if Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Take Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily.
Dosage of Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. The maximum adult dose is 4 milligrams daily. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after taking these medications. These products can react with Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg, preventing its full absorption.
Take Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.
It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg do not have serious side effects.
Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg may infrequently cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis). Stop taking Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg and tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), change in the amount of urine.
A very serious allergic reaction to Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Click here to view a more detailed list of Livalo side effects.
If you miss a dose of Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
See also How to Use section.
The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.
To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg from your body, which may affect how Livalo (pitavastatin) 2mg works. Examples include cyclosporine, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifampin), HIV protease inhibitors (such as atazanavir, lopinavir/ritonavir), among others.
This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.