Ezetimibe/simvastatin (By mouth)

Introduction:

Ezetimibe (ez-ET-i-mide), Simvastatin (sim-va-STAT-in)

Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in your blood. This medicine contains a "statin" drug.

Brand Name(s):

Vytorin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
• If you also use another medicine called cholestyramine (Questran®), take it at least 2 hours after or 4 hours before you take ezetimibe/simvastatin.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using hormones or steroids. Your doctor should know if you also use amiodarone (Cordarone®), clarithromycin (Biaxin®), cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), erythromycin (E.E.S.®, E-Mycin®, EryTab®), or fenofibrate (Tricor®). Tell your doctor if you also use gemfibrozil (Lopid®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), nefazodone (Serzone®), niacin, or verapamil (Calan®, Covera®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®). Tell your doctor if you use medicine to treat HIV or AIDS, such as lamivudine, stavudine, zidovudine, Combivir®, Epivir®, Kaletra®, Videx®, or Zerit®.
• It is best to avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol or grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes, thyroid problems, liver disease, or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you regularly drink alcohol.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, diarrhea, gas, mild stomach pain.
• Headache.
• Joint pain.
• Mild skin rash.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: