Generic Vytorin i.e. Ezetimibe is a combination of Ezetimibe Zetia and Simvastatin Zocor that is used for treating high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Vytorin reduces total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein LDL or “bad” cholesterol while it increases high density lipoprotein HDL or “good” cholesterol. The Ezetimibe component of Vytorin lowers blood cholesterol by blocking the absorption of cholesterol including dietary cholesterol from the intestine. It does not affect the absorption of triglycerides. The Simvastatin component of Vytorin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors commonly called statins. Statins reduce cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in the liver HMG-CoA reductase that produces cholesterol. Statins lower total and LDL cholesterol in the blood as well as triglycerides. They also increase HDL cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol is believed to be an important cause of coronary artery disease. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels slows and may even reverse coronary artery disease. Raising HDL cholesterol levels also may slow coronary artery disease. Vytorin was approved by the FDA in July 2004.

However, before taking Ezetimibe i.e. Vytorin medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Vytorin medication. However, Vytorin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Vytorin i.e. Ezetimibe medication and also read the prescription label carefully.

Do not take your medicine more often than directed. The recommended dose range of Vytorin is 10/10 mg to 10/80 mg and it is administered once daily in the evening with or with out food. Therapy usually is initiated with 10/20 mg daily but individuals who need more than a 55 reduction in LDL cholesterol can be started on 10/40 mg daily.

If you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

The most common side effects of Vytorin noticed are vomiting, diarrhea, headache, nausea, muscle pain and abnormal liver tests. The most serious potential side effects are liver damage and muscle inflammation or breakdown.

The Simvastatin component of Vytorin is a statin. Therefore it shares side effects such as liver and muscle damage that are associated with statins. Serious liver damage caused by statins is rare. More often statins cause abnormalities of liver tests and therefore periodic measurement of liver tests in the blood is recommended for all statins.

Abnormal tests usually return to normal even if a statin is continued but if the abnormal test value is greater than three times the upper limit of normal the statin usually is stopped. Liver tests should be measured before Vytorin is started and periodically thereafter or if there is a medical concern about liver damage. Liver tests should be performed before the 10/80 mg dose of Vytorin is initiated three months after initiation and then periodically thereafter.

Inflammation of the muscles caused by statins can lead to a serious breakdown of muscle cells called ‘Rhabdomyolysis’. Rhabdomyolysis causes the release of muscle protein myoglobin into the blood. Myoglobin can cause kidney failure and even death. When used alone statins cause Rhabdomyolysis in less than one percent of patients. To prevent the development of Rhabdomyolysis patients taking Vytorin should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they develop unexplained muscle pain weakness or muscle tenderness.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.
Vytorin contains Simvastatin and numerous drugs block the elimination of Simvastatin by the liver. Decreased elimination of Simvastatin could increase the levels of Simvastatin in the body and increase the risk of muscle toxicity from Simvastatin. Examples of these drugs include erythromycin i.e. E-Mycin, ketoconazole i.e. Nizoral, itraconazole i.e. Sporanox, clarithromycin i.e. Biaxin, telithromycin i.e. Ketek, cyclosporine i.e. Sandimmune, nefazodone i.e. Serzone and HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir i.e. Crixivan and ritonavir i.e. Norvir. Large quantities of grape fruit juice 1 quart daily also will increase blood levels of Simvastatin.

Amiodarone i.e. Cordarone, verapamil like Calan, Verelan, Isoptin, danazol, niacin i.e. Niacor, Niaspan, Slo-Niacin, gemfibrozil, Lopid and Fenofibrate Tricor also may increase the risk of muscle toxicity when combined with Simvastatin.

Simvastatin increases the effect of warfarin and the blood concentration of digoxin. Patients taking Simvastatin and warfarin or digoxin should be monitored carefully.

Vytorin should not be taken during pregnancy because the developing fetus requires cholesterol for development and Vytorin due to the Simvastatin component reduces the production of cholesterol. Vytorin should only be administered to women of child bearing age if they are not likely to become pregnant.
However, Cyclosporine increases the blood levels of Ezetimibe.

However, Vytorin may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Vytorin medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are taking Vytorin medication.

Moreover, for the best results, the Vytorin medicine should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight. However, follow the dietary plan, provided by your doctor.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Generic Vytorin i.e. Ezetimibe is used for reducing total cholesterol LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and for increasing HDL cholesterol. Moreover, using this medicine may help prevent medical problems caused by such substances clogging the blood vessels.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The Vytorin i.e. Ezetimibe medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Vytorin i.e. Ezetimibe medication.

Generic Vytorin i.e. Ezetimibe tablets should be stored at room temperature 68-77°F and 20-25°C in a cool and dry place. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Vytorin tablets in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Vytorin i.e. Ezetimibe:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or smoke.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Vytorin medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Vytorin i.e. Ezetimibe medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Vytorin medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course as this drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Vytorin medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Vytorin.