VYTORIN is a combination of two medications called ezetimibe and simvastatin. Together, these chemicals are used to treat high cholesterol. Ezetimibe works by reducing the amount of cholesterol that your body absorbs from your diet. Simvastatin works by blocking an enzyme that is necessary for your body to make cholesterol. This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Vytorin (Ezetimibe / Simvastatin)

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Take this medicine in the evening unless otherwise directed by your doctor. IF YOU ARE ALSO TAKING A BILE ACID SEQUESTRANT (such as cholestyramine, colestipol, or colesevelam), take this medicine at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after the bile acid sequestrant. DO NOT DRINK LARGE AMOUNTS OF GRAPEFRUIT JUICE (greater than 1 quart daily) or eat large amounts of grapefruit while taking this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. CONTINUE TAKING THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol do not feel sick. Do not miss any doses. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you to remember. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Before you start taking VYTORIN, tell your doctor if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking VYTORIN. Muscle problems, including muscle breakdown, can be serious in some people and rarely cause kidney damage that can lead to death. The risk of muscle breakdown is greater at higher doses of VYTORIN and in patients 65 years of age and older, females, and people with kidney or thyroid problems. The following drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems if you take them together with VYTORIN. These drugs should not be used while you are taking this medication: cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), danazol (Danocrine), gemfibrozil (Lopid), nefazodone (an antidepressant), the antibiotics clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), and telithromycin (Ketek), the antifungal medications itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and posaconazole (Noxafil), the HIV/AIDS medications atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus) amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), ranolazine (Ranexa), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) drink substantial quantities of alcohol, have had liver problems, are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, are breast-feeding
Stop taking VYTORIN and call your doctor if you have any of these serious side effects: unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, fever, unusual tiredness, dark colored urine and/or clay-colored stool, swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all, chest pain or dry cough, feeling short of breath or wheezing, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate, loss of appetite, jaundice headache, dizziness, depressed mood, memory problems, confusion, back pain, joint pain, mild muscle pain, numbness, trouble having an erection, diarrhea, insomnia, cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any other symptoms or side effects.

Vytorin (Ezetimibe / Simvastatin)

Directions

Ingredients

Cautions

Side Effects