Livalo

Livalo is a drug prescribed to treat high cholesterol. Specifically, this medication is designed to reduce "bad cholesterol," lower triglycerides, and increase "good cholesterol." It works by blocking an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. Livalo comes in tablet form and is typically taken once a day. Possible side effects include pain in the back, muscles, and joints.

Livalo Medication Information

What Is Livalo?

Livalo^® (pitavastatin) is a prescription medication licensed to treat high cholesterol. It is used in combination with a low-cholesterol diet. This medicine is specifically designed to:

Reduce total cholesterol
Reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL ("bad cholesterol")
Lower apolipoprotein B (ApoB) cholesterol (another type of "bad cholesterol")
Lower triglycerides
Increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL ("good cholesterol").

(Click Livalo Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes It?

Livalo is made by Patheon, Inc., for Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. It is marketed by Kowa Pharmaceuticals and Lilly USA, LLC.

How Does Livalo Work?

This medication belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or more commonly known as "

statins." It works by blocking an enzyme in the body called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme controls the rate at which cholesterol is produced in the body.

When this enzyme is blocked, the liver makes less cholesterol. In addition, the liver collects more LDL from the blood and removes it. As a result, blood cholesterol levels drop.

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