You should not use Vytorin if you have active liver disease or abnormal liver function tests.
Do not use Vytorin if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Use effective birth control.
Do not breastfeed while using ezetimibe and simvastatin.
The following drugs should not be used while you are taking Vytorin: boceprevir, cyclosporine, danazol, gemfibrozil, nefazodone, telaprevir, certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin), antifungal medication (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), or certain HIV/AIDS medication (atazanavir, cobicistat (Stribild, Tybost), indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir).
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Vytorin if you are allergic to simvastatin (Zocor) or ezetimibe (Zetia), or if you have:
active liver disease; or
abnormal liver function tests.
Do not use if you are pregnant. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor at once if you become pregnant.
Ezetimibe and simvastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. 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 Vytorin. Do not take these medicines at the same time:
cyclosporine;
danazol;
gemfibrozil;
nefazodone;
an antibiotic - clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;
antifungal medication - itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole;
hepatitis C medications - boceprevir, telaprevir; or
HIV/AIDS medication - atazanavir, cobicistat, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir.
Your doses of certain other medicines may need to be adjusted while you are taking Vytorin. This includes:
amiodarone or dronedarone;
amlodipine (sometimes in combination medicines - Azor, Caduet, Consensi, Exforge, Lotrel, Prestalia, Twynsta, Tribenzor);
colchicine;
diltiazem, verapamil;
fenofibrate, fenofibric acid;
lomitapide;
ranolazine; or
medicines that contain niacin, nicotinic acid, or vitamin B3, such as Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
unexplained weakness or muscle pain;
a thyroid disorder;
liver or kidney disease;
liver problems caused by alcohol;
a habit of drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day; or
if you are older than 65.
Vytorin 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.
