Vytorin online

Item name:

Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin) (MSP Singapore)

Generic name:

ezetimibe and simvastatin

Brand names:

Vytorin

Item info:

Ezetimibe and simvastatin reduces the amount of cholesterol (a type of fat) absorbed by the body and blocks the production of cholesterol in the body. Ezetimibe and simvastatin is used to reduce the total amounts of cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Ezetimibe and simvastatin is also used to increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions may reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Drug class:

Antihyperlipidemic

Interactions:

Do not take ezetimibe and simvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
• atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor) or simvastatin (Zocor);
• gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor) or clofibrate (Atromid-S);
• niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);
• erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, others), telithromycin (Ketek) or clarithromycin (Biaxin); ·
• holestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); · an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
• nefazodone (Serzone);
• telithromycin (Ketek);
• danazole (Danocrine);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• warfarin (Coumadin);
• a protease inhibitor such as amprenavir (Agenerase), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), lopinavir-ritonavir (Kaletra), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase);
• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacer one); or
• verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Verelan).

You may not be able to take ezetimibe and simvastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ezetimibe and simvastatin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Side effects:

Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of ezetimibe and simvastatin and other similar medicines.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ezetimibe and simvastatin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
• blurred vision.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.

Continue to take ezetimibe and simvastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• gas, bloating, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea;
• cough;
• tiredness;
• headache; or
• insomnia.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Prescription needed / OTC:

Prescription only

Dosage:

Take ezetimibe and simvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take ezetimibe and simvastatin once a day with or without food.

It may be easier to remember to take the medication if you take it at the same time every day. Ezetimibe and simvastatin should be taken 2 hours before or 4 hours after a bile acid sequestrant such as cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, Questran), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam (Welchol).

Your doctor may want to monitor cholesterol levels, liver function, or other factors with blood tests before starting and during treatment with ezetimibe and simvastatin. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require.

Do not stop taking ezetimibe and simvastatin unless directed to do so by your doctor. It may be weeks or months before beneficial effects are seen from this medication.

Contraindications:

Before taking ezetimibe and simvastatin, tell your doctor if you;

• have liver or kidney disease;
• drink alcoholic beverages;
• have hypothyroidism (low thyroid function);
• have a chronic muscular disease or have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
• are taking another cholesterol-lowering medication; or
• have a blood disorder.

You may not be able to take ezetimibe and simvastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Ezetimibe and simvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that ezetimibe and simvastatin is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Do not take ezetimibe and simvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether ezetimibe and simvastatin passes into breast milk. Do not take simvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Storage:

Store ezetimibe and simvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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