What is vytorin taken for

Vytorin is approved for use in children ages 10 years and older. Side effects of Vytorin in children ages 10 years and older are similar to those seen in adults, as described above and below.

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with Vytorin. Below are details about certain side effects this drug may cause. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Vytorin. However, allergic reactions have been reported since the drug was released onto the market.

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Vytorin, as the reaction could become severe.

Some people may have muscle pain while taking Vytorin. In some clinical studies , people took either Vytorin or a placebo for approximately 7 months. In these studies, muscle pain occurred in:. Muscle pain and muscle weakness can be a symptom of myopathy muscle damage. Myopathy is a known side effect of all statin drugs, including simvastatin one of the active drugs in Vytorin.

Your risk for muscle pain or myopathy while taking Vytorin is highest during your first year of taking the drug. But after the first year, your risk for these side effects gets lower as you continue taking the drug. For example, in a long-term clinical study , myopathy occurred in:. And some groups of people have a higher risk for muscle damage while taking Vytorin. Note: Muscle pain and weakness may also be signs of a serious side effect of Vytorin called immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.

This is an overactive immune system response that causes muscle cell death. Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy is a rare side effect of statin drugs, including simvastatin one of the active drugs in Vytorin. Call your doctor right away if you have any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking Vytorin. Muscle problems with other symptoms, such as fever, can sometimes be a sign of a more serious side effect called rhabdomyolysis.

If you have muscle problems while taking Vytorin, your doctor may recommend a creatinine phosphokinase CPK blood test. CPK is an enzyme a type of protein that helps with muscle function. Having high levels of CPK can be a sign of muscle damage. If you have high CPK or other symptoms of muscle damage, your doctor will usually recommend that you stop taking Vytorin.

Muscle pain and weakness usually gets better after you stop taking Vytorin. But tell your doctor if you continue to have these symptoms after you stop taking Vytorin.

Having increased liver enzymes is a possible side effect of Vytorin. And this can be a sign of liver damage. Liver enzymes are proteins that help your liver function. Vytorin can sometimes cause liver damage.

And if cells in your liver are damaged, liver enzymes can leak into your bloodstream. This shows up as increased liver enzymes in blood tests called liver function tests. In clinical studies , increased liver enzymes occurred in 1. In a long-term clinical study , increased liver enzymes occurred in:. As you continue to take Vytorin, your liver enzymes tend to return to normal levels. However, sometimes increased liver enzymes can be a sign of more serious damage to your liver.

Before you start taking Vytorin, your doctor will order liver function tests to check your liver enzyme levels. You may also have liver function tests during your Vytorin treatment. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage while taking Vytorin.

These symptoms may include:. If you have any of these symptoms, your doctor will order liver function tests to check your liver enzymes. If the tests show a problem with your liver, your doctor will usually recommend that you stop taking Vytorin. Some people may have alopecia hair loss or thinning while taking Vytorin.

Alopecia has also been reported in people taking simvastatin and ezetimibe since these drugs were released. Simvastatin and ezetimibe are the active drugs in Vytorin. Memory loss may occur while taking Vytorin. But simvastatin , one of the active drugs in Vytorin, is a statin.

And problems with memory have been reported as a side effect of simvastatin as well as other statin drugs. In some cases, memory problems have developed within a few days after starting a statin drug. In other cases, memory problems have developed after people have been taking a statin drug for years. Most memory problems get better within a few weeks after stopping statin treatment.

If you have memory problems while taking Vytorin, talk with your doctor. They may recommend switching to a different treatment. Some people may have depression while taking Vytorin. Depression has also been reported in people taking simvastatin and ezetimibe since these drugs were released. And if you have symptoms of depression while taking Vytorin, tell your doctor right away.

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. The active drugs in Vytorin are ezetimibe and simvastatin.

Vytorin is approved to treat certain types of high cholesterol when used with a low-cholesterol diet. Vytorin is approved to treat high cholesterol caused by homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia HoFH. For this use, Vytorin is prescribed with a low-cholesterol diet, and is typically added on to other cholesterol-lowering treatments.

The recommended dosages of Vytorin for children ages 10 years and over are the same as for adults. These dosages are described above. If you miss a dose of Vytorin, skip that dose and take your next dose as usual the following evening. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This can include setting an alarm on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too. Vytorin is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment.

Other drugs are available that can treat certain forms of high cholesterol. Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. You may wonder how Vytorin compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses.

Here we look at how Vytorin and Lipitor are alike and different. Vytorin contains two active drugs: ezetimibe and simvastatin. On the other hand, Lipitor contains one active drug: atorvastatin. Simvastatin and atorvastatin both belong to a class of drugs called statins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.

Statins work to lower cholesterol by stopping your liver from making cholesterol. Ezetimibe belongs to a different class of drugs, called cholesterol absorption inhibitors. These types of drugs work to lower cholesterol by preventing your small intestine from absorbing cholesterol.

Both Vytorin and Lipitor are approved for use with a low-cholesterol diet to treat the following forms of high cholesterol in adults:. For these uses, Vytorin is also approved for use in children ages 10 years and older.

Vytorin and Lipitor both contain a statin drug. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects. These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with either Vytorin or Lipitor, as well as mild side effects that both drugs may share. This list contains examples of serious side effects that can occur with both Vytorin and Lipitor when taken individually :. The use of Vytorin and Lipitor in treating primary hyperlipidemia has been directly compared in clinical studies.

In these studies, Vytorin was more effective than Lipitor in lowering cholesterol. These results varied depending on the dosages that people took. According to estimates on GoodRx. Vytorin and Lipitor are both brand-name drugs. In addition, Lipitor is available as the generic drug atorvastatin. A generic drug is an exact copy of an active drug in a brand-name medication. As with all medications, the cost of Vytorin can vary. To find current prices for Vytorin in your area, check out GoodRx.

The cost you find on GoodRx. Before approving coverage for Vytorin, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered. If you need financial support to pay for Vytorin, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Merck, the manufacturer of Vytorin, offers a program called Merck Helps, which may provide ways to lower the cost of Vytorin. This active drug combination is also available as a generic medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of ezetimibe and simvastatin compares with the cost of Vytorin, visit GoodRx.

This is because regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol can damage your liver, and Vytorin can also cause liver damage. Drinking large amounts of alcohol also increases your risk for high cholesterol , which Vytorin is used to treat. Vytorin can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For example, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Below are examples of medications that can interact with Vytorin. Before taking Vytorin, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take.

Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Antimicrobials are medications that treat infections. This is because these drugs can cause Vytorin to build up in your body. And this buildup can increase your risk for side effects from Vytorin. These side effects may include myopathy muscle pain or weakness or rhabdomyolysis muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure.

If you take any of these antimicrobial drugs, talk with your doctor before starting Vytorin. They may recommend that you stop taking Vytorin temporarily. Nefazodone is an antidepressant medication. Taking these drugs together can cause Vytorin to build up in your body. If you take nefazodone, talk with your doctor before starting Vytorin. Your doctor can determine the best medications to treat your conditions. Cyclosporine Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune is a drug that reduces the activity of your immune system.

It may be given after an organ transplant, or to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. This buildup can make you more likely to have side effects from Vytorin. If you take cyclosporine or danazol, talk with your doctor before starting Vytorin. Your doctor can determine the best choice of medications to treat your conditions. Taking Vytorin with certain other cholesterol -lowering medications can increase your risk for side effects that affect your muscles.

If you any of these types of medications, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Vytorin than usual for you to decrease your risk for muscle side effects. Or they may recommend a medication other than Vytorin to lower your cholesterol. This combination of drugs greatly increases your risk for muscle problems. In addition to increasing your risk for muscle side effects, bile acid sequestrants can cause your body to absorb less Vytorin than usual.

If taken at the same time of day as Vytorin, these drugs can prevent Vytorin from being absorbed into your body as well as usual. This can make Vytorin less effective in lowering your cholesterol.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe both a bile acid sequestrant and Vytorin. These drugs should be taken at different times of day, as recommended by your doctor. Taking them at different times reduces the risk of the drugs interacting. Colchicine Mitigare, Gloperba, Colcrys is a drug used to treat gout. Taking Vytorin with colchicine can increase your risk for side effects from Vytorin. These side effects include myopathy muscle pain or weakness and rhabdomyolysis muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure.

If you take colchicine, talk with your doctor before taking Vytorin. They may prescribe a lower dosage of Vytorin than usual. Taking Vytorin with certain drugs that affect your heart or blood pressure can increase your risk for side effects of Vytorin. If you take any of these medications, talk with your doctor before taking Vytorin. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Vytorin than usual.

And if you take any other medications for your heart or blood pressure, check with your doctor about whether Vytorin is safe for you to take. Digoxin Lanoxin is a drug used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Taking Vytorin with digoxin can increase the level of digoxin in your body. This can increase your risk for side effects from digoxin. If your digoxin level becomes too high, your doctor may lower your digoxin dosage.

Taking Vytorin with certain blood thinners can make the blood thinners more effective than usual. And this can increase your risk for bleeding and bruising.

These blood-thinning drugs are called coumarin anticoagulants. Warfarin Jantoven is an example of a coumarin anticoagulant. These tests measure how long it takes your blood to clot. Based on your INR results, your doctor may adjust the dosage of your blood thinner. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Vytorin.

This is because grapefruit can cause Vytorin to build up in your body. And this buildup can increase your risk for side effects of Vytorin. For details and a list of these fruits, see this article. Vytorin is FDA-approved to treat certain types of high cholesterol in adults and certain children when used with a low-cholesterol diet. If you have high cholesterol, this means you have more cholesterol in your blood than you need.

High cholesterol can develop if you have certain genetic conditions. It can also develop due to certain lifestyle habits. Having high cholesterol increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Vytorin works to lower your cholesterol. It also works to lower your level of triglycerides, which are another type of fat. High cholesterol and triglycerides are symptoms of mixed hyperlipidemia, which Vytorin is approved to treat. These drugs work together in different ways to lower your cholesterol.

Vytorin typically lowers cholesterol levels within 2 weeks of starting treatment. However, it should be taken long term in order for the drug to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level over time. With dependence, your body needs the drug in order for you to feel normal. And with withdrawal, you have unpleasant symptoms when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent upon. This happens more often in women, in older adults, in people of Chinese descent, and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism underactive thyroid.

Other medicines may increase your risk of serious muscle problems if you take them together with ezetimibe and simvastatin. Do not take these medicines at the same time:. Your doses of certain other medicines may need to be adjusted while you are taking ezetimibe and simvastatin. This includes:. Ezetimibe and simvastatin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old.

This medicine should not be given to a girl who has not yet had menstrual periods. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Grapefruit may interact with ezetimibe and simvastatin and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage. Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or ezetimibe and simvastatin will not be as effective. Use Vytorin Ezetimibe And Simvastatin exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

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. Make sure any doctor caring for you knows you that you use ezetimibe and simvastatin, especially if you have an infection, injury or surgery.

Ezetimibe and simvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. 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. Health Topics. Health Tools.