Video

What Kids Wear Could Determine How Much Exercise They Get

Few College Students Have Received the H1N1 Vaccine

Night Lights Could Lead to Depression

Cervarix Has Been Approved by the FDA

The FDA Is Studying the Effects of Lasik Surgery

Painkillers Can Dull the Effects of Childhood Vaccines

Childbirth May Becoming More Complicated

Botox Sponges Might Help Nose Allergies

The FDA Advises on How to Properly Dispose of Medicine

A French Study Shows Cell Phones Do Not Affect Humans

MRIs May Lead to More Back Surgery

Your More Likely to Wash Your Hands If Someone's Watching

Co-Sleeping Is a Leading Cause of SIDS

Night Shifts Don't Have a Major Effect On Surgeons

Exercise May Counter Fatigue from Chemotherapy

Livalo Approved for High Cholesterol

Posted on 08/04/2009, 11:25
By -- Scott Roberts

A risk factor for heart disease

TUESDAY, Aug. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Livalo (pitavastatin) is the newest statin to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat high cholesterol.

As with other statin drugs, Lavalo is meant for people in whom diet and exercise fail to lower cholesterol, the agency said in a news release. Statins do this mostly by curbing the liver's ability to produce an enzyme called HMG Co-A reductase.

Livalo was approved based on the results of five clinical studies that compared its safety and effectiveness to three other statins. The most common side effects reported among Livalo users were pain in the muscles, joints, and back, and constipation.

Livalo is produced by Montgomery, Ala.-based Kowa Pharmaceuticals America Inc.

More information

Visit the FDA to learn more about this approval.

More news in Cholesterol...

BigHealthTree.com Disclaimer

Bighealthtree.com Does Not Provide Medical Advice. This site, including the above information, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or health advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health or medical professional before starting any new treatment, changing existing treatment, or altering your current exercise and/or diet program. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 (or the emergency services in your area) or your doctor immediately.

Rating: 3.1 / 5 (142 votes)