What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Niacin and pitavastatin
Pitavastatin's FDA label of March 31, 2026 names niacin in its drug interactions section; niacin's label does not name pitavastatin itself but warns about its class (Statins). The pitavastatin label: “The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis may be increased with concomitant use of lipid-modifying doses (≥1 g/day) of niacin with LIVALO.”
Check it at the source: the niacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 14, 2023, Aurobindo Pharma Limited); the pitavastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 31, 2026, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.).
What does the niacin label say about pitavastatin?
Niacin's label does not name pitavastatin itself; it warns about its class (Statins):
Niacin label, drug interactionsCaution should be used when prescribing niacin with statins as these agents can increase risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis.
Niacin label, drug interactionsCaution should be used when prescribing niacin (≥1 gm/day) with statins as these drugs can increase risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Niacin), Aurobindo Pharma Limited, effective February 14, 2023 (SPL set 43233a21-3f90-4c69-bbeb-f50d5f2d35ae), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the pitavastatin label say about niacin?
Pitavastatin label, drug interactionsNiacin Clinical Impact: The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis may be increased with concomitant use of lipid-modifying doses (≥1 g/day) of niacin with LIVALO. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using lipid-modifying doses (≥1 g/day) of niacin concomitantly with LIVALO outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
Pitavastatin label, warnings and precautionsThe following drugs when used concomitantly with LIVALO may also increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis: lipid-modifying dosages of niacin (>1grams/day), fibrates, and colchicine [see Drug Interactions (7) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Zypitamag, NDA208379), Medicure International Inc, effective December 3, 2025 (SPL set c8c50e03-5cb8-43f4-bdef-8edd12f1945f), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Livalo), Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., effective March 31, 2026 (SPL set 44dcbf97-99ec-427c-ba50-207e0069d6d2), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Niacin | Pitavastatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High triglycerides | High cholesterol |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.193 per tablet 500 mg tablet | $0.954 per tablet 2 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once