Ezetimibe and Simvastatin (Oral Route)

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Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol. Your doctor can then decide if you should continue to take it.

Check with your doctor immediately if you think that you may be pregnant. Certain cholesterol medications may cause birth defects or other problems in the baby if taken during pregnancy.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. It is very important that you take all of your medicine. Your doctor will discuss with you any changes in your medicine. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Check with your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if it is accompanied by unusual tiredness or fever, because the medicine's adverse effects on muscle can lead to serious kidney problems.

If you are taking amiodarone (Cordarone(R)) or verapamil (Calan(R), Verelan(R)) together with ezetimibe/simvastatin, your ezetimibe/simvastatin dose should NOT exceed 10 mg/20 mg per day, unless directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking cyclosporine (Restasis(R), Sandimmune(R)) or danazol (Danocrine(R)) together with ezetimibe/simvastatin, your ezetimibe/simvastatin dose should NOT exceed 10 mg/10 mg per day, unless directed by your doctor or pharmacist. When used together, these medicines may increase your risk of muscle injury which can lead to kidney failure, particularly at higher doses of simvastatin. If you are taking amiodarone, cyclosporine, danazol, or verapamil and ezetimibe/simvastatin, call your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, have a fever, have muscle cramps or spasms, have muscle pain or stiffness, feel very tired or weak, or have diarrhea .

Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than 1 quart each day) while you are taking this medicine. Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of simvastatin in the body which may increase your risk of muscle injury and could result in kidney failure .

Side Effects Proper Use

DR600405

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2009 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


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