The FDA has approved the marketing of Livalo, a statin, indicated for the treatment of high cholesterol. In addition to treating the usual, garden variety high cholesterol in patients both with and without heart disease, Kowa, the company that makes the new drug, proudly touts the additional benefit in treating elevated triglycerides. Very good. But in case Kowa hasn’t noticed, there are now 8 statins on the market, three of which are generic. And yes, they all treat the full range of different cholesterol abnormalities, including high triglycerides.
As with many new drugs that acquire FDA approval, perhaps Livalo reduces cholesterol more efficiently than other statins. Or perhaps Livalo is superior in limiting side effects commonly seen with cholesterol medications. Unfortunately, neither claim seems to be the case. Livalo is essentially no different in its effectiveness in reducing LDL. And as far as side effects go, the incidence of muscle pains and liver enzymes abnormalities have been comparable to other statins.
Like many, I ask myself why a company would bother going through the painstaking process of FDA approval when there apparently is nothing novel about Livalo? At this point who knows. For the patient, I would be very cautious about being offered free samples of Livalo by a doctor’s office. There are plenty of cheaper statins out there that are at least as effective as Livalo. It would be wise to let this Johnny Come Lately impress us with a little more data before considering its regular use.
Thanks for keeping us informed of the “latest” happenings.
Comment by ed graff — August 12, 2010 @ 6:35 pm |
Welcome!
Comment by docchat — August 13, 2010 @ 7:46 pm |
I experienced mental confusion and very frequent urination while taking Livalo. Also tiredness and weakness. It seemed to be worse that the other statin drugs I have tried.
Comment by MidgeS — March 4, 2011 @ 12:45 pm |
I have been given at least five different medications to lower my cholesterol (299) and NOTHING has worked without MAJOR side effects! LIVALO has LOWERED my cholesterol by almost 100 POINTS!!!! And I feel GREAT!!! Don
Comment by don — April 20, 2011 @ 10:36 am |
I have been taking Livalo for almost a month and have not felt good at all on it. I have back muscle pain and weakness, upper abdomen discomfort and tenderness and a general feeling of nausea. Within one hour of taking the medication (with dinner as instructed), I feel like vomiting. This goes on all evening and also wakes me up some nights from a dead sleep. Usually I have a huge build up of gas and have to belch a lot. Needless to say, this does not make for pleasant evenings or nights with the hubby. There has to be something better than this!
Comment by AKFJ — May 9, 2011 @ 4:27 pm |
I am like Don. I am very impressed by Livalo. I have tried other statin drugs but had muscle cramps all the time but for some reason not with Lovalo. It has reduced my cholestrol from over 300 to 199 in about 3 months.
Comment by Betsey — May 30, 2011 @ 10:49 pm |
I just started taking livalo 4 mg and I am wondering livalo also give me such a severe muscle breaking pain like lipitor.
Comment by Michael Moon — June 19, 2011 @ 12:23 pm |
I am a Hashimoto Thy. patient. I live a very active lifestyle (always have). I eat healthfully, never smoked, never drink alcohol, do not have a family history of high cholesterol, and yet I my Endo. wants my over all Chol. was 185. My LDL-119
My HDL-45. I have been able to tolerate any of the other statins. Pravistatin gave me terrible muscle cramps and body aches. The others made me sick at my stomach or worse. My doctor asked me to try Livalo 1mg. yesterday. I am so afraid of the statin products. My OBGyn and Family Pract. say I am a healthy soon to be 50 year old woman at 5’5″ and 145 pds.
They don’t feel that I should be so upset about my Chol. They feel like there is a HUGE pharmacuetical effort to push the stats lower in order to sell more product. I do not want to be an a med that comes with its own set of high risks, if this is simply part of my natural biological make-up. I would appreciate your professional opinion. Is 1 mg of worth taking? Is it a risky med.? Are my my stats high even though my Triglycerides are only 104? Of course, ultimately, I will have to make the choice.
Comment by Paulita — November 18, 2011 @ 12:53 pm |
From what you’ve mentioned, I would add a little omega 3, make sure the body mass index is at or below 25, both to get the HDL above 50 if possible then call it a day! Save the Livalo for another day.
Comment by docchat — November 18, 2011 @ 2:29 pm |
Wow, that sounds so much more affective. I haven’t measured my BMI lately. I failed to mention (but my Endo knew this) I have been suffering with plantar fasciatis since then end of last school year. I am an EBD teacher. Very stressful job, I must stay strong and fit. Well, needless to say, two months ago I was told to curb the aggressive workouts to let this tendon heal. SO, I am sure this has affected my cholesterol. That didn’t seem to change my Dr.’s fear for my life. I know he cares about my health, but I he is actually scaring me to death.
Thanks so much for the better picture! I had not been taking my Omega 3/6 like I should. I’ll get back to it. I’ll check my BMI and find a way around my foot with alternative excercise until it heals. I’ll let you know how it goes in about 6 weeks. By the way cycling IS NOT an alternative exercise, if anyone ask. Its the whole tendon from toe to heel that must rest and stretch.
I am going to try intense floor yoga/pilates and resistance bands. I already do these. I don’t do them for more than 20. I’ll up them to 45 to an hour 5 days a week and let you know how that works. Thank you.
Comment by Paulita — November 18, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
severe myalgia from simvastin 40mg after taking it for ten years. been on livalo for two months with absolutely no side effects
Comment by scott cogan — January 9, 2012 @ 12:22 am |
I’m happy Livalo is working for those that need it. After getting your message, I talked with my regular MD. he had seen my test results after they were forwarded to him. He was not happy about me being put on any form of statin. He told me to stop them immediately. It turns out when I stopped taking Livalo my negative symptoms stopped the next day. I upped my dose of to 2000-mg of Omega-3/6 (high quality) and started training on a stationary cycle. Since Nov. 18th I lost 6pds. by simply getting into a workout routine that doesn’t hurt my foot. I do realize that statins are a must for folks like my brother-in-law, who has Type 1 Diabetes. I would never recommend anyone quit taking their medication without discussing it with their doctor. My MD thanked you for your good advice and making sure I talked to him before making the absolute decision. Thank you.
Comment by Paulita — January 9, 2012 @ 6:34 pm |