Key takeaways
Lovastatin (generic name) and Livalo (pitavastatin) are both statins used to lower cholesterol, but they have some key differences. Lovastatin is available as a generic and is taken once or twice a day, while Livalo is typically taken once a day and does not have a generic form. Lovastatin is proven to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, whereas Livalo has not been shown to have these benefits. Livalo may be better for you if you have had muscle pain with other statins or take multiple medications, as it has fewer drug interactions. However, Livalo can be more expensive if not covered by insurance. Both medications can cause muscle pain and liver problems, but Livalo is less likely to cause muscle and kidney damage compared to other statins. Neither medication is safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
