From the FDA Drug Label
Take pitavastatin tablets orally once daily with or without food at the same time each day. The optimal time of day to take pitavastatin (Livalo) is at the same time each day, but the exact time is not specified.
- The drug can be taken with or without food.
- There is no recommendation for a specific time of day, such as morning or evening, as long as it is taken at the same time each day 1.
From the Research
The best time to take pitavastatin is in the evening, preferably at bedtime. Here's what you need to know:
Recommendation
Take pitavastatin once daily in the evening, with or without food.
Specifics
- Dosage typically ranges from 1 mg to 4 mg per day
- Take the medication at the same time each day for consistency
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose
Additional information
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking pitavastatin, as they can interact with the medication
- Inform your doctor of all other medications you're taking to avoid potential interactions
Justification
Evening dosing is recommended because the liver produces most cholesterol at night. Taking pitavastatin in the evening allows the medication to be most active when cholesterol production is at its peak, potentially leading to better cholesterol-lowering effects. Additionally, pitavastatin has a long half-life, meaning it remains active in the body for an extended period, making once-daily dosing effective regardless of the time of day, as supported by studies such as 2. The most recent and highest quality study, 3, also highlights the efficacy of pitavastatin in lowering lipids, further supporting the recommendation for evening dosing.