Type of medicine: cholesterol lowering medicine
Generic and brand names: ezetimibe/simvastatin, oral; Vytorin
This medicine is taken by mouth to lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood. It also helps to increase the amount of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. It is used when you cannot control your cholesterol levels by diet alone.
This medicine should only be used by people who have been taking it for 12 months or longer without ill effect.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes for the length of time prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. This medicine will lower your cholesterol level only when you take it regularly. Continue to follow the diet or exercise program your healthcare provider prescribes.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember that same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose or you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.
While you are taking this medicine, report any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to your healthcare provider right away, especially if you also have a fever or feel ill.
You will need regular blood tests to see if the medicine is working. You will also have liver function tests to see how the medicine may be affecting your liver. Keep all your appointments.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects.
If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
A low-fat diet and regular exercise are important to reduce cholesterol. Follow your healthcare provider's advice. Because alcohol may increase triglyceride levels, do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or vision changes; yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark or reddish urine, light colored bowel movements.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, constipation, mild rash or itching, headache, dizziness, memory loss, confusion, tingling, stuffy or runny nose, constant cough, tiredness, trouble sleeping, erectile dysfunction.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit affects the way this medicine works and may increase the risk of side effects.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
