Drug Name

Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin)

Drug Uses

Vytorin is used for reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides as well as for increasing HDL cholesterol.

How Taken

The recommended dose range of Vytorin is 10/10 mg to 10/80 mg, as well as it is administered once daily in the evening with or with out food. Therapy usually is initiated with 10/20 mg daily, but individuals who need more than a 55% reduction in LDL cholesterol can be started on 10/40 mg daily.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Vytorin is a combination of ezetimibe (Zetia) as well as simvastatin (Zocor) that is used for treating high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Vytorin reduces total cholesterol as well as abridged density lipoprotein cholesterol while it increases high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The ezetimibe component of Vytorin lowers blood cholesterol by blocking the absorption of cholesterol, including dietary cholesterol, from the intestine. It does not affect the absorption of triglycerides. The simvastatin component of Vytorin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, commonly called "statins". Statins reduce cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in the liver (HMG-CoA reductase) that produces cholesterol. Statins lower total as well as LDL cholesterol in the blood as well as triglycerides. They as well as increase HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is believed to be an substantial cause of coronary artery disease. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels slows as well as may even reverse coronary artery disease. Raising HDL cholesterol levels as well as may unhurried coronary artery disease. Vytorin was approved by the FDA in July, 2004.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Vytorin should be stored at room temperature, 20-25 degrees C (68-77 degrees F).

Warnings/Precautions

Before using ezetimibe/simvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist incase you think you are allergic to it; or to other drugs called "statins"; or incase you possess any other allergies. This medication should not be used incase you possess confident health examination conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist incase you have: active liver disease. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your health examination history, especially of: heart disease, history of liver disease, kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), poorly controlled diabetes, alcohol take. Developing very bad muscle damage, which is rare, can sometimes lead to humorless kidney problems (see the Side Effects section in this handout). This medication is usually temporarily stopped incase you possess any condition which can increase your risk of developing kidney problems. Before you halt using your medication, notify your doctor immediately incase you possess any of the following conditions: major surgery, trauma, humorless illness (e.g., sepsis or very bad metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders), very abridged blood pressure, uncontrolled seizures. Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily take of alcohol may increase your chance for humorless side effects. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially muscle damage. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. Incase you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is recommended that immature girls as well as women of child-bearing age take effective birth control to halt pregnancy while using this drug. One of these drugs (simvastatin) may cause harm to your unborn child. It is not known incase either drug passes into breast milk. A drug similar to simvastatin passes into breast milk, as well as because of this drug's potential risk of undesirable effects on a nursing infant, breast-feeding is not recommended while using ezetimibe/simvastatin. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Likely Side Effects

Headache may occur. Incase this effect persists or worsens, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This drug can sometimes cause muscle damage. Although uncommon, this may lead to very humorless muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis, which in rare cases can be fatal. Seek immediate health examination attention incase you develop: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these highly unlikely but very humorless side effects occur: yellowing eyes as well as skin, not light urine, very bad fatigue, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea, change in the amount of urine. A humorless allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate health examination attention incase it occurs. Symptoms of a humorless allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or health examination tests (e.g., blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. For best results, this product should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol or low-fat diet, as well as a weight-loss program incase you are overweight. As well as to help reduce your risk of heart attacks as well as strokes, check your blood pressure regularly, seek health examination treatment incase your blood pressure is high, as well as halt smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.