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Marley Drug – Pharmacy Partner Guest Blog

By May 19, 2021August 20th, 2021No Comments

Image Source: Marley Drug

This post is a guest blog from Marley Drug Pharmacy. All of the opinions expressed and products promoted in this post do not reflect the views of myphysician360. It is recommended that you speak with your physician prior to making changes to dosage amounts or drug manufacturer. myphysician360 is not liable nor can be held responsible for any medical injuries sustained.

Statin Use Way Up: Pitavastatin Introduced to the U.S. as a Next-Generation Statin 

Many patients with high cholesterol may not control their condition with diet, exercise, or weight loss alone. As a result, doctors may have prescribed a medication called a statin. 

Statins remain the first line of defense for managing cholesterol. They are generally well-tolerated and have a favorable safety profile. There is a large body of evidence that supports the widespread use of statins with their ability to reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

Updated Guidelines Recommend Statins for More Patients

The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines updated the guidelines and recommendations for managing cholesterol in 2018. The four main categories where statin use is recommended include:

  • People diagnosed with cardiovascular disease
  • People who have high levels of LDL-C or bad cholesterol (greater than 190 mg/dL)
  • People with diabetes between the age of 40 to 75, regardless of their cholesterol levels 
  • People with elevated LDL-C (over 100 mg/dL) with an increased risk of developing heart disease (e.g., family history)

History of Statins

The first statin, lovastatin, was approved in the United States over 30 years ago, on September 1st, 1987. Since then, tens of millions of Americans have taken a statin to help manage their cholesterol levels. Statin use has increased steadily over the years and has more than doubled in the last 20 years. With the recent changes to the guidelines, this use will undoubtedly increase further.

The most commonly used statin in the U.S. right now is atorvastatin, which was approved in 1996. While the majority of statins currently available are several decades old, there are newer statin options available. Pitavastatin was introduced to the U.S. in 2009 and is the most recently approved statin type.

About Pitavastatin

Pitavastatin is a third-generation statin that helps to lower the LDL-C levels in your body. It is currently available in the U.S. as Livalo (pitavastatin calcium) or Zypitamag (pitavastatin magnesium). Livalo was approved in 2009 and Zypitamag in 2017. 

The most significant difference between Livalo and Zypitamag is the price. Livalo costs over $1000 for a 90-day prescription, whereas Zypitamag is as little as just $1 a day, or $90 for a 90-day prescription. 

Besides the price, the FDA has deemed the two products to be bioequivalent. 

What makes Pitavastatin different

  • It produces dose-dependent reductions in LDL-C (bad cholesterol) 
  • The maximum approved dose of 4 mg reduces LDL-C by an average of 45%
  • It provides sustained LDL-C lowering and has been studied for several years
  • It has been shown to increase HDL-C (good cholesterol) in the body
  • It has less potential for specific drug-drug interactions than some of the already existing statins in the market. 
  • It is clinically superior to pravastatin in lowering LDL-C
  • It is well-tolerated, with discontinuation rates at the highest dose (4 mg) of less than 4%
  • Has been studied people living with type 2 diabetes and shown to reduce cholesterol levels effectively

Where to get Pitavastatin for Patients:

myphysician360 and Marley Drug make it easy to access. Zypitamag (pitavastatin) for $1 per day* without any insurance hassles. This price is 50% lower than at other pharmacies in the U.S.*!

Additional Benefits of ordering through Marley Drug:

  • No insurance is needed
  • Free Shipping Nationwide
  • Available to all patients*
  • Plus – receive the first 30 days FREE with a valid Rx*!

Click here to learn more. 

* Conditions may apply. Visit www.marleydrug.com for more information. This offer is currently not available to Alabama residents.

The effect of pitavastatin on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.

Where to get Pitavastatin for Pharmacies:

You can access Zypitamag (pitavastatin) at your local distribution center. If you don’t see it you may need to request that they re-order it.

Alternatively, you can order Zypitamag (pitavastatin) directly from the manufacturer and receive an additional discount. You can contact the manufacturer Medicure at ordering@medicure.com.