Livalo (pitavastatin) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for high cholesterol in adults and some children. Livalo comes as a tablet that’s typically taken once per day.
Livalo is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain forms of high cholesterol:
- primary hyperlipidemia in adults
- heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in adults and children ages 8 years and older
Livalo belongs to a drug class called statins. Livalo is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Livalo, including its strength(s) and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Livalo, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Livalo provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Livalo, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Livalo’s recommended dosages.
Livalo form
Livalo comes as an oral tablet.
Livalo strengths
Livalo comes in three strengths:
- 1 milligram (mg)
- 2 mg
- 4 mg
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing you a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for high cholesterol
Doctors may prescribe Livalo to treat high cholesterol due to primary hyperlipidemia or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). The drug is typically taken along with dietary changes to help lower your cholesterol.
If your doctor prescribes Livalo for your high cholesterol, your starting dose will likely be 2 milligrams (mg). Typically, you’ll take this once daily. After 4 weeks, your doctor may recheck your cholesterol levels. If this dose isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend a dose increase up to 4 mg taken once daily. This is the maximum dose of Livalo that’s recommended.
The table below shows the typical dosage schedule, including the starting dosage and maintenance dosage. Your doctor will choose a maintenance dose that is the best fit for your specific needs.
| Indication | Starting dose | Maintenance dose | Maximum dose |
| primary hyperlipidemia | 2 mg once daily | 2 mg to 4 mg once daily | 4 mg once daily |
| HeFH | 2 mg once daily | 2 mg to 4 mg once daily | 4 mg once daily |
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Livalo is approved to treat HeFH in children ages 8 years and older.
The table below list the typical dosing schedule for children taking Livalo.
| Indication | Starting dose | Maintenance dose | Maximum dose |
| HeFH | 2 mg once daily | 2 mg to 4 mg once daily | 4 mg once daily |
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Livalo is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Livalo is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Livalo, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
The Livalo dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- how your body responds to Livalo
- the severity of the condition you’re taking Livalo to treat
- other medications you take
- side effects you may have with Livalo
- your kidney function
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Livalo dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as other medications for high cholesterol or with certain antibiotics These drugs can affect the level of Livalo in your body. To find out what drugs may interact with Livalo, see this article.
Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you have kidney disease or if you’re 65 years or older.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.
Livalo comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water. You may take your dose with or without food.
It may be helpful to take Livalo around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Livalo can work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have questions about how to use Livalo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Livalo in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Livalo, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you don’t take more Livalo than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Livalo
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Livalo. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Livalo.
Is the dosage of Livalo similar to the dosage of Crestor?
Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Livalo and Crestor are both oral tablets taken once daily.
The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. (Pitavastatin is the active ingredient in Livalo, and rosuvastatin is the active ingredient in Crestor.) Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
What is the recommended maximum dosage of Livalo?
The maximum dosage of Livalo that’s recommended is 4 milligrams (mg). Typically, doctors prescribe a low dosage to start. In some cases, doctors may increase the dosage. The highest dose of Livalo recommended per day is 4 mg. No additional benefits are seen with doses larger than 4 mg. For details about Livalo dosages, see the “Livalo dosage” section above.
If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Livalo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If it seems like you need a higher dosage, ask your doctor whether a dosage increase is right for you. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Livalo for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Livalo without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Livalo that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Livalo. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Livalo: For information about other aspects of Livalo, refer to this article.
- Interactions: For details about what Livalo interacts with, see this article.
- Details about high cholesterol: For details about high cholesterol, see our cardiovascular health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.