Livalo

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Michael Rio, PharmD
Updated on February 1, 2024

Pitavastatin (pi TA va sta tin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for high cholesterol. The brand-name versions of this drug are Livalo and Zypitamag. The cost of pitavastatin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about pitavastatin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about pitavastatin, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of pitavastatin

Like other medications, the cost of pitavastatin can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much pitavastatin costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for pitavastatin” section.

Coupons for pitavastatin

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of pitavastatin. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for pitavastatin

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of pitavastatin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for pitavastatin. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking pitavastatin long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Pitavastatin is a generic medication. The brand-name versions of this drug are Livalo and Zypitamag.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed pitavastatin but you’re interested in Livalo or Zypitamag, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.

To learn how the cost of pitavastatin compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

Common questions about pitavastatin and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about pitavastatin.

How does the cost of pitavastatin compare with the cost of other similar drugs, such as atorvastatin?

The cost of pitavastatin and other similar drugs depends on the dose you take, the pharmacy you use, and the insurance you have. Pitavastatin is one of the newest drugs in the group of drugs called statins. Because of this, the cash price of pitavastatin tends to be higher than that of other similar drugs.

But a certain statin may be more appropriate for you to take than another. So talk with your doctor about your best cholesterol-lowering options.

Talk with your pharmacist or insurance company to learn more about the cost of your medication.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about pitavastatin

This article provides cost information related to pitavastatin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for pitavastatin.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• What will my copay for pitavastatin be?
• Will my dosage of pitavastatin affect the cost?
• Is there a lower cost drug that could treat my condition?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Pitavastatin tablets, film coated for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/fac09182-dcf2-1770-e053-6394a90af50c/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.