Managing Cholesterol
The only way to know if you have high cholesterol levels is to have a simple blood test. Lifestyle changes can help improve your overall cholesterol levels.
Remember...
You are the most important member of your healthcare team. Talking openly with your healthcare team, combined with these tips, can help you manage your cholesterol and get the best results from your treatment.
Working with your healthcare team
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) work as a team to help manage your cholesterol and heart health. Together, they work to develop a personalized health plan for you. Members of your healthcare team may include:
Primary care physicians (PCPs)
A PCP is your first point of care for managing your overall health and preventing disease. Most PCPs are either general practitioners or internal medicine specialists.
Cardiologists
Your PCP may recommend that you see a cardiologist. Cardiologists treat many heart conditions, like high LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs)
CNSs are nurses with advanced knowledge and clinical expertise. They focus mainly on the patients with multiple conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol. CNSs work in clinics and hospitals providing continuing care. They diagnose and treat disease. They also educate patients about their health conditions.
Endocrinologists
Endocrinologists are physicians who help treat conditions of the endocrine system. These conditions are usually the result of hormone-related issues. Examples are weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides.
Lipidologists
Lipidologists specialize in treating lipid disorders (high cholesterol or high triglycerides) and diseases related to metabolism (such as diabetes). They can help you manage your cholesterol by giving you advice about lifestyle changes. They can also help develop a treatment plan for you.
Nurse practitioners (NPs)
NPs are highly trained nurses who diagnose and help treat health conditions. NPs can usually prescribe medicines and act as your PCP.
Physician assistants (PAs)
PAs work under the direction of licensed doctors. They conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat diseases, and can give advice on preventative healthcare. They may also be able to give you medicine and play an active role in managing your heart health.
Infectious Disease Specialist
Infectious disease medicine is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on diagnosing and managing infections. Infectious disease physicians often manage patients with HIV/AIDS and other forms of immunodeficiency.
Other HCPs
Other members of your healthcare team may be:
- Dietitians - they can create personalized meal plans for you based on current nutritional guidelines.
- Mental health professionals - they can teach you ways to deal with the stress and anxiety you may have as you manage your health and high cholesterol.
- Pharmacists - they can help you understand information about your medicines. They can also give you advice about the right way to help avoid interactions with other medicines you take.
You are the most important member of your healthcare team. Talking openly with your healthcare team, combined with these tips, can help you manage your cholesterol and get the best results from your treatment:
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
- Taking your medicines as your healthcare team prescribed
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Questions to ask your healthcare provider
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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.
