Precautions and Warnings With Pitavastatin

• Liver disease, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver failure
• Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
• Hypothyroidism
• Alcohol problems
• Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
   

• Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
• Breastfeeding.
   

• In rare cases, rhabdomyolysis (the severe breakdown of muscles) and kidney failure have been reported with the use of statins, such as pitavastatin. This reaction appears to be more likely to occur at higher doses. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if it is accompanied by a fever or feelings of general discomfort, as rhabdomyolysis is a very serious condition.
   
• Pitavastatin and other statins have been shown to cause increases in liver enzymes, especially at higher doses. It is generally recommended that liver function be checked with a blood test before starting pitavastatin.

Previously it had been recommended that people taking statins have routine periodic liver function tests while taking the medication, but this recommendation has been removed, since such monitoring does not help much to detect or prevent such problems. Liver function tests should still be performed if there is any suspicion of liver damage.   

• Pitavastatin may interact with a number of other medications (see Drug Interactions With Pitavastatin for more information).
   
• Pitavastatin is a pregnancy Category X medicine, meaning that it could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. Therefore, it is not recommend for use in women who are pregnant. If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider before taking pitavastatin (see Livalo and Pregnancy).
   
• You should not use pitavastatin while breastfeeding a child. If you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Livalo and Breastfeeding).