Generic name: pitavastatin [ pit-AV-a-STAT-in ]
Brand names: Livalo, Zypitamag
Drug class: Statins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 21, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Zypitamag?

Zypitamag is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Zypitamag is used to treat high cholesterol in adults. Lowering your cholesterol may help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

The Livalo brand of pitavastatin is also used to treat an inherited form of high cholesterol in children at least 8 years old.

Zypitamag may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not take Zypitamag if you have liver disease (including abnormal liver enzyme tests), or if you also take cyclosporine.

Do not take Zypitamag if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Zypitamag can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Zypitamag if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• liver disease (including abnormal liver enzyme tests);

• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; or

• if you are taking cyclosporine.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Zypitamag can harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor at once if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while you are taking Zypitamag.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• a thyroid disorder; or

• if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

Zypitamag can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. This happens more often in older adults or people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take Zypitamag?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take Zypitamag with or without food, but take it at the same time each day.

You will need frequent blood tests.

You may need to stop using Zypitamag for a short time if you have:

• uncontrolled seizures;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);

• severely low blood pressure;

• a severe infection or illness;

• dehydration; or

• surgery or a medical emergency.

Zypitamag is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Zypitamag?

Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or Zypitamag will not be as effective.

Drinking alcohol can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.

Zypitamag side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, Zypitamag can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• confusion, memory problems;

• muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back;

• trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing;

• kidney problems--vomiting, pain in your side or lower back, little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain; or

• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Zypitamag may include:

• muscle pain;

• pain in your arms or legs;

• back pain; or

• diarrhea, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Zypitamag?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Like Zypitamag, certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, especially:

• colchicine;

• gemfibrozil;

• fenofibric acid;

• fenofibrate; or

• medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Zypitamag, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the side effects of statins?
• Do statins help treat COVID-19?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.01.

Generic name: olanzapine (oral) [ oh-LANZ-a-peen ]
Brand names: ZyPREXA, ZyPREXA Zydis
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Jun 2, 2022.

What is Zyprexa?

Zyprexa is an antipsychotic medication that affects chemicals in the brain.

Zyprexa is used to treat psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children at least 13 years old.

Zyprexa is also used together with fluoxetine (Prozac) to treat episodes of depression in adults and children at least 10 years old who have bipolar I disorder.

Warnings

Zyprexa may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Zyprexa.

Zyprexa is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

You may gain weight or have high cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) while taking this medicine, especially if you are a teenager. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Olanzapine can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking this medicine.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, fractures, or other injuries. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Zyprexa.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Zyprexa if you are allergic to olanzapine.

Zyprexa may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;

• heart disease, high or low blood pressure;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• a stroke, including "mini-stroke";

• breast cancer;

• a seizure;

• Alzheimer''s disease;

• diabetes or high blood sugar;

• an enlarged prostate;

• bowel problems; or

• narrow-angle glaucoma.

Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. If you get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop taking Zyprexa without your doctor''s advice.

Olanzapine can pass into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice severe drowsiness, irritability, feeding problems, tremors, or unusual muscle movements in the nursing baby.

Zyprexa Zydis orally disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take Zyprexa?

Take Zyprexa exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Zyprexa can be taken with or without food.

Remove a Zyprexa Zydis orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

Olanzapine can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis.

You may gain weight or have high cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) while taking this medicine, especially if you are a teenager. You may need frequent blood tests.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Zyprexa.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause serious side effects.

Zyprexa is sometimes used together with other antipsychotic medications or antidepressants. Use all medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor''s advice.

Medication may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes counseling and other psychological support programs. Follow your doctor''s instructions.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, agitation, aggression, slurred speech, confusion, increased heart rate, jerky or uncontrolled muscle movements, trouble breathing, or fainting.

What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Zyprexa.

Zyprexa side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zyprexa: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

High doses or long-term use of olanzapine can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use Zyprexa, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);

• trouble speaking or swallowing;

• swelling in your hands or feet;

• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, or thoughts about hurting yourself;

• low white blood cell counts - fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing, feeling light-headed; or

• signs of dehydration - feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin;

• liver problems - upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss; or

• severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Common Zyprexa side effects may include:

• weight gain (more likely in teenagers), increased appetite;

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired or restless;

• problems with speech or memory;

• tremors or shaking, numbness or tingly feeling;

• changes in personality;

• dry mouth, or increased salivation;

• stomach pain, constipation; or

• pain in your arms or legs.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Zyprexa?

Taking Zyprexa with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with olanzapine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Zyprexa only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 16.01.