Vytorin
Description
Vytorin (generic name: Ezetimibe / Simvastatin; brand name: Inegy) is a combination of two cholesterol medicines, Ezetimibe (a medicine that reduces the cholesterol absorbed in your digestive tract), and Simvastatin (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver).
Vytorin is the only product that:
Helps block the absorption of cholesterol that comes from food, and
Reduces the cholesterol your body makes naturally
Vytorin is used to:
Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol
Lower total cholesterol
Lower triglycerides (fatty substances in your blood)
Raise HDL (good) cholesterol
Recommendations
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Vytorin exactly as directed.
Take one Vytorin tablet by mouth each day with a glass of water.
Take Vytorin once a day in the evening. The liver produces its greatest amount of cholesterol when the body is at rest and when there is no dietary intake. For most people this is at night when asleep. Therefore, the simvastatin component of Vytorin is more effective when taken in the evening. A good time would be after your evening meal. However, it does not matter whether you take it before or after food.
If you also take a bile acid sequestrant (eg, cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam), do not take it within 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking Vytorin. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
For best results, Vytorin should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight-loss program if you are overweight. Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
Avoid drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice (over 1 litre daily), this can affect the manner in which Vytorin is absorbed into the blood stream.
Most people with high cholesterol do not feel sick. Continue to take Vytorin even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Vytorin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Keep Vytorin at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Precautions
Before taking Vytorin, tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to any medicines;
you have liver or kidney disease;
you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Ingredients
Active ingredients: ezetimibe, simvastatin.
