Generic Vytorin

What is Vytorin (simvastatin ezetimibe)?

Vytorin is a cholesterol-lowering medicines. Vytorin reduces the amount of cholesterol (a type of fat) absorbed by the body and block the production of cholesterol in the body.

Vytorin lowers "bad" cholesterol in the blood, (also called LDL, or low-density lipoprotein) and raises "good" cholesterol (also called HDL, or high-density lipoprotein). Lowering your LDL and raising your HDL cholesterol levels may reduce your risk of hardened arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and circulation problems.

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

Important information about Vytorin (simvastatin ezetimibe)

Vytorin 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.

It may take up to 2 weeks of using this medicine before your cholesterol levels improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Your cholesterol will need to be measured with blood tests at regular intervals. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. In rare cases, Vytorin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.

Before taking Vytorin (simvastatin ezetimibe)

You should not use Vytorin if you are allergic to ezetimibe (Zetia) or simvastatin (Zocor), or if you have:

• liver disease; or
• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Before taking Vytorin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• an underactive thyroid;
• a muscle disorder; or
• if you use steroid medicine or hormones (including birth control pills).

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

In rare cases, Vytorin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine. FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether Vytorin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 10 years old.

How should I take Vytorin (simvastatin ezetimibe)?

Take Vytorin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Vytorin is usually taken once daily in the evening with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions

It may take up to 2 weeks of using this medicine before your cholesterol levels improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Your cholesterol will need to be measured with blood tests at regular intervals. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Vytorin 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 this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Vytorin is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking Vytorin (simvastatin ezetimibe)?

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Vytorin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

If you take another cholesterol-lowering medication such as cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, Questran), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam (Welchol), take your Vytorin dose at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after the other medication(s).

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Vytorin and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Vytorin. Alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Vytorin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Vytorin (simvastatin ezetimibe) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Vytorin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine;
• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
• easy bruising or bleeding; or
• blurred vision.

Less serious Vytorin side effects may include:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• depressed mood;
• constipation, diarrhea;
• cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose;
• joint pain, back pain; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect

What other drugs will affect Vytorin (simvastatin ezetimibe)?

Many drugs can interact with Vytorin. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
• cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam (Welchol);
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
• danazol (Danocrine);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor) or clofibrate (Atromid-S);
• nefazodone (Serzone);
• niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);
• verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Verelan);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, others), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or telithromycin (Ketek); or
• HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz (Sustiva), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), or tipranavir (Aptivus).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs not listed that can affect Vytorin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.