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Not All Statins Are the Same: Why Dr. Lebowitz Calls ZYPITAMAG 'Fundamentally Different'
Dr. Nate Lebowitz, MD, is a clinical cardiologist and lipid specialist based in Northern New Jersey. He is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
In the video, Dr. Lebowitz shares his insights on how ZYPITAMAG® (pitavastatin) is different from other statins, especially for those who've had trouble with other statins, as he points out "The majority of statin intolerant patients will tolerate ZYPITAMAG”.
Dr. Lebowitz is known for creating personalized plans for each patient, with an emphasis on lifestyle changes as part of the approach.
Start ZYPITAMAG Today
To help you get started you can either bring a guide to your doctor or request a online consult through WebDoctors.
Download the guide that suits your needs:
Statins and Muscle Pain: Why ZYPITAMAG May Be Easier to Tolerate
The biggest reason people stop taking statins is muscle pain. One theory is statins' effects on coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a natural enzyme that helps muscles produce energy.
Statins can lower CoQ10 levels, potentially leading to muscle aches and fatigue. Based on his clinical observations, Dr. Lebowitz notes that ZYPITAMAG has a minimal effect on CoQ10, which makes it a gentler option for many.
Statins deplete your coenzyme Q10, which may be associated with why we sometimes see muscle aches, and risk of muscle breakdown in a lot of patients. But ZYPITAMAG doesn't do that. So, we really don't see muscle aches very often at all compared to other statins.
That’s why he often recommends ZYPITAMAG for patients who’ve struggled with side effects before.
ZYPITAMAG Has Fewer Drug and Food Interactions
Another advantage of ZYPITAMAG is its metabolism. Most drugs (about 80%) are broken down in the liver by an enzyme system called cytochrome P450 (CYP450). If you take several medications, they can interact with each other and raise the risk of side effects or liver problems.
ZYPITAMAG is different; it's metabolized by a separate pathway, with minimal involvement from the main cytochrome P450 enzymes. This means fewer interactions with other drugs or foods.
So, people that are on specialized medications like HIV meds or transplant meds, or people who are on a lot of medications, [ZYPITAMAG is] definitely a good choice.
This includes those taking:
- Antiviral medications (e.g., Paxlovid)
- Transplant medications
- Grapefruit juice
ZYPITAMAG Lowers “Bad” LDL and Raises “Good” HDL
ZYPITAMAG is a moderate-intensity statin that can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 45%, similar to atorvastatin (Lipitor®) and simvastatin (Zocor®). But at a much lower dose (4 mg vs. 20–40 mg).
It also stands out because it helps raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol, more than other statins.
In the LIVES Study, patients who switched to ZYPITAMAG saw:
- Average HDL increase: 4–7%
- For those with low HDL (less than 40 mg/dL): an increase of 16–28%
Dr. Lebowitz finds this makes ZYPITAMAG ideal for patients with high triglycerides, low HDL, or genetic risks for low HDL.
All Statins Can Affect Blood Sugar, But ZYPITAMAG Has Minimal Impact
It's "kind of an open secret" that statins can raise glucose levels and can even nudge pre-diabetic patients toward diabetes. ZYPITAMAG is different.
In a clinical trial comparing atorvastatin (Lipitor) and pitavastatin (ZYPITAMAG) in people with type 2 diabetes:
- ZYPITAMAG: had only a 2.1% increase
- Atorvastatin: had a 7.2% increase
That’s why Dr. Lebowitz often recommends ZYPITAMAG for patients with prediabetes or impaired fasting glucose.
ZYPITAMAG: A Safer Choice
Dr. Lebowitz describes ZYPITAMAG as a safer, more tolerable statin option for most patients, especially those who’ve struggled with others.
In my experience, adherence with ZYPITAMAG is close to 95–99%, compared to about 54% with other statins. That speaks for itself.
ZYPITAMAG may be suitable for:
- Patients with muscle aches from other statins
- Those with prediabetes or blood sugar concerns
- People on multiple medications
- Individuals with low HDL or high triglycerides
Start ZYPITAMAG Today
To help you get started you can either bring a guide to your doctor or request a online consult through WebDoctors.
Download the guide that suits your needs:
Related Topics
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Read moreCan statins increase blood sugar?
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Researchers have found that statins can reduce CoQ10 levels by as much as 40% in patients. While this doesn't always lead to symptoms, it may explain why some patients feel different after starting the medication.
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