What are
statins?
A vast majority of the U.S population suffers from high
cholesterol. High cholesterol is not normal. Unlike other diseases, it has no
symptoms and is considered a silent killer*.
Statins are the first line of defence against high
cholesterol and have been around for decades. Doctors consider this drug class
to be the most effective medication for treating high cholesterol.
Do Statins
have side-effects?
Statins, while taken by millions of Americans each year, have
some side-effects associated with them. The most common side effects of statin
medication are muscle pain, muscle cramps and muscle weakness.
Cause of side-effects: The risk of statin side
effects increases with the statin dosage. As a rule of thumb, the higher the
dose of statin you take, the higher the statin concentration in your blood.
This leads to a greater risk of a side effect such as muscle pain.
Factors affecting Statin Concentration in your blood
- Other medications: Statins can interact
with other medications. Be sure to tell
your doctor about all over-the-counter products, supplements, and prescription
medications you are currently taking.
- The time you take your statin: Some
statins need to be strictly taken in the evening. This is because the
cholesterol-making enzyme in our body is more active at night.
Newer statins, like pitavastatin, tend to
be more stable in your body and, as a result, can be taken at any time of day.
- Taking a statin with or without food: Eating
food can change how your body absorbs medications. Some statins need to be
taken with a meal, while others should be taken on an empty stomach. Pitavastatin
can be taken with or without food.
- Grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice can
increase the concentration of statins in your blood, increasing the risk of
side effects. Pitavastatin does not have this interaction.
What is
different about the latest-generation statin medications
The good news is that there is now a newer statin available
in the U.S. known as Zypitamag (pitavastatin) tablets.
Zypitamag (pitavastatin) is a next-generation statin. Some key
features of Zypitamag include:
- Reduced potential to interact with certain
medications
- Taken once daily
- Taken at any time of the day
- Can be taken with grapefruit juice
Clinically, pitavastatin has been shown to reduce LDL-C or
‘bad cholesterol’ by 45%. Click to learn
more about Zypitamag (pitavastatin) tablets.
The effect of pitavastatin on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.
This article contains information about an FDA-approved product, Zypitamag (pitavastatin) tablets. This medication is available by prescription only. Talk to your doctor to see if Zypitamag is right for you. Please refer to the Zypitamag (pitavastatin) tablets Important Safety Information below and Prescribing Information for more information.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ZYPITAMAG®
(pitavastatin) tablets
Who
should NOT take ZYPITAMAG?
ZYPITAMAG is not right for everyone.
Do not take ZYPITAMAG if:
- You have a known allergy to
ZYPITAMAG or any of its ingredients.
- You have active liver problems, including
some abnormal liver test results.
- You are nursing, pregnant or may
become pregnant, as it may harm the baby.
- You are currently taking
cyclosporine or gemfibrozil.
What is the
most important information I should know and talk to my doctor about?
- Call your healthcare provider or get
help right away if you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as
rash, itching, or hives.
- Muscle problems may be an early sign
of rare, serious conditions. Tell your doctor right away if you have any
unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, particularly if accompanied
by malaise or fever, or if these muscle signs or symptoms persist after
discontinuing ZYPITAMAG.
- Serious liver problems have been
reported rarely in patients taking statins, including pitavastatin. Your doctor
should do liver tests before you start, and if you have symptoms of liver
problems while you are taking ZYPITAMAG. Tell your healthcare provider right
away if you feel more tired than usual, have a loss of appetite, upper belly
pain, dark-colored urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Tell your doctor about all your
medical conditions and medications you take including nonprescription
medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
- Increases in blood sugar levels have
been reported with statins, including pitavastatin.
- Tell your doctor about your alcohol
use.
- Tell your healthcare provider of a
known or suspected pregnancy.
What
are the most common side effects of ZYPITAMAG?
The most common side effects of
ZYPITAMAG in clinical studies were:
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Pain in the legs or arms
This is not a complete list of side
effects. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
You
are encouraged to report negative side effects of all drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call
1-800-FDA-1088.
How
should I store and take ZYPITAMAG?
- Store ZYPITAMAG tablets at room
temperature, in a dry place, and out of the reach of children.
- Take ZYPITAMAG orally once daily
with or without food at the same time each day.
- Swallow the tablet whole. Do not
split, crush, dissolve, or chew.
- The maximum recommended dosage is
ZYPITAMAG 4 mg once daily.
- If you take too much ZYPITAMAG or
you or someone else takes an overdose, call your doctor and/or local Poison
Control Center.
Other
important information I should know about ZYPITAMAG.
- ZYPITAMAG has not been studied to
evaluate its effect on reducing heart-related disease or death.
- ZYPITAMAG is available by
prescription only.
For
additional information, please see the full Prescribing Information.