1. In With the Good, Out With the Bad
We all worry about our cholesterol, a natural fat-like substance transported in the blood. High cholesterol is considered a leading risk factor in the development of heart disease. When watching what we eat just isn't enough, there's Vytorin. Vytorin works to both lower "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) and raise "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL). It is a mix of ezetimibe (an inhibitor that reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body in the intestine) and simvastatin (an enzyme blocker reducing the amount of cholesterol made in the body each day).
2. Not a Miracle Drug
Popping a Vytorin every day will not be enough when it comes to keeping your bad cholesterol down and your good cholesterol up. You'll need to pay attention to your diet and exercise regularly. Eating foods that will elevate the levels of bad cholesterol in your body is detrimental when taking Vytorin. Weight control is also important, as obesity usually leads to higher levels of bad cholesterol. Taking Vytorin, then, should simply be a part of a complete program when it comes to fighting high cholesterol.
3. When You Shouldn't Take Vytorin
As with most drugs, Vytorin isn't for everyone. Certain medical conditions or foods, for instance, are a concern when taking Vytorin. Vytorin is not for nursing mothers, pregnant women or people with liver disease or diabetes. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice has been shown to have potentially dangerous side effects when mixed with Vytorin. Rare but potential side effects of Vytorin include sudden muscle weakness or pain, fever or flu-like symptoms, and dark-colored urine. Stop taking Vytorin immediately if any of these symptoms appear.
4. Vytorin Doesn't Always Play Well With Others
The list of drugs that may interact with Vytorin is long. This drug should not be taken if you are already taking any other medications to control cholesterol. Vytorin also may interact with many antibiotics, HIV medications, the antidepressant drug Serzone, and some medications used for congestive heart failure or blood pressure, including Lanoxin, Calan and Isoptin. Other heart disease medications such as fibrates and taking high doses of niacin can also lead to serious side effects as well.
5. Food for Thought
In January 2008, a study released by Merck/Schering-Plough, the United States distributor of Vytorin, showed that Vytorin did not have any more effect on cholesterol than did a tablet containing only a single statin (Zocor). Since the cost of Vytorin is very high (at least twice the cost of Zocor and other statins), it has been recommended to start with one statin and only increase to the two-drug combination found in Vytorin if the single-drug tablet does not work.
