Ezetimibe+simvastatin
About
Ezetimibe+simvastatin belongs to the class of medicines called 'anti hyperlipidemic drugs' or cholesterol-lowering agents primarily used to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides (type of fat) and increase good cholesterol levels. This reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in future. High cholesterol, known as hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia, occurs when there is an excess of the unhealthy cholesterol balance in the blood. When the cholesterol level is high in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged, contributing to heart diseases like stroke and heart attack.
Ezetimibe+simvastatin is a combination of Ezetimibe and Simvastatin. Ezetimibe works by reducing the cholesterol absorbed in the digestive tract. Simvastatin belongs to the class of statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that work by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the body that is essential to make cholesterol. Thereby, it decreases the production of LDL (bad cholesterol) by the liver. Also, it reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the brain and heart.
Take Ezetimibe+simvastatin as prescribed. Your doctor will advise how often you take Ezetimibe+simvastatin based on your medical condition. Sometimes, this medicine may cause common side effects such as muscle pain, headache, diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infection or increased liver enzyme levels. Most of these side effects of Ezetimibe+simvastatin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Ezetimibe, Simvastatin or other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are aged 65 years or older, please inform your doctor. Avoid using Ezetimibe+simvastatin if you are pregnant. Also, you are advised to take effective birth control measures while taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin to avoid pregnancy. Please inform your doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother. Ezetimibe+simvastatin is not recommended for children below 10 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established. If you feel dizzy after taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin, avoid driving or operating machinery.
Uses of Ezetimibe+simvastatin
Medicinal Benefits
Ezetimibe+simvastatin contains Ezetimibe and Simvastatin, used to lower the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides (type of fat) and increase good cholesterol levels. This reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in future. Ezetimibe works by reducing the cholesterol absorbed in the digestive tract. Simvastatin works by inhibiting the production of cholesterol your body makes by itself. Also, it reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the brain and heart. Ezetimibe+simvastatin is used for patients whose cholesterol levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ezetimibe+simvastatin
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Increased liver enzyme levels
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Ezetimibe, Simvastatin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are aged 65 years or older, please inform your doctor. Avoid using Ezetimibe+simvastatin if you are pregnant. Also, you are advised to take effective birth control measures while taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin to avoid pregnancy. Please inform your doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother. Ezetimibe+simvastatin is not recommended for children below 10 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established. If you feel dizzy after taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin, avoid driving or operating machinery. Maintain a low-fat diet along with Ezetimibe+simvastatin for effective results. If you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes, your doctor will monitor you closely while on treatment with Ezetimibe+simvastatin. You are likely to be at risk of developing diabetes if you have high levels of sugars and fats in the blood, high blood pressure and are overweight.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Avoid taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin if you take antifungals (posaconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole), antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin), medicines used to treat HIV/AIDS (indinavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir, tipranavir, ritonavir, atazanavir), antidepressants (nefazodone), medicines containing cobicistat, a medicine used to manage endometriosis (danazol), immunosuppressant (cyclosporine), or drugs used to treat hepatitis C (telaprevir, boceprevir). Inform your doctor if you are taking other medicines used to lower cholesterol (fenofibrate, lomitapide, gemfibrozil), antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone, dronedarone), medicines used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain associated with heart disease (diltiazem, verapamil, ranolazine, amlodipine), anti-gout drug (colchicine), vitamin B3 (niacin), or blood thinners (warfarin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid consumption of grapefruit juice with Ezetimibe+simvastatin as it may increase the risk of muscle problems.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have unexplained muscle pains or weakness, severe lung disease, diabetes, thyroid, kidney or liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Ezetimibe+simvastatin as it may increase the risk of liver damage. Inform your doctor if you consume alcohol daily.
Pregnancy
unsafeEzetimibe+simvastatin is not recommended in pregnancy as it may harm your unborn baby. If pregnancy occurs while on treatment with Ezetimibe+simvastatin, it should be discontinued immediately and seek medical advice.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Ezetimibe+simvastatin is excreted in the breast milk. Therefore, if you are a breastfeeding mother, inform your doctor before taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin.
Driving
cautionEzetimibe+simvastatin usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, if you feel dizzy after taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin, avoid driving or operating machinery.
Liver
cautionEzetimibe+simvastatin is contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in liver transaminases. If you have liver problems, inform your doctor before taking this medicine.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have chronic kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
cautionEzetimibe+simvastatin is not recommended for children below 10 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a low-fat diet. Limit your intake of dairy products made with whole milk and red meat. Prefer skim milk and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, whole grains, nuts and cut-down beverages, and processed and sugary foods.
- Do regular exercises such as swimming, cycling, walking, or dancing and focus on losing weight, as obesity also raises bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended to monitor liver function while on treatment with Ezetimibe+simvastatin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High cholesterol: It is also known as hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia and occurs when there is an excess of the unhealthy balance of cholesterol in the blood. When there is a high level of cholesterol in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged, finally contributing to heart diseases like stroke and heart attack. Eating high-fat or high-cholesterol-containing food/drinks and genetic factors are the primary causes of high cholesterol. There are two types of cholesterol found in our body: good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). Good cholesterol is good for our heart and helps in reducing the bad cholesterol in our body. On the other hand, excess bad cholesterol (LDL) leads to the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and stroke.
FAQs
Ezetimibe+simvastatin contains Ezetimibe and Simvastatin. Ezetimibe works by reducing the cholesterol absorbed in the digestive tract. Simvastatin works by inhibiting the production of cholesterol your body makes by itself. Also, it reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the brain and heart.
You are recommended to inform your doctor if you are taking niacin or niacin-containing product, as it may increase the risk of muscle problems.
Ezetimibe+simvastatin may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle tissue) in some patients. It is not common for everyone who takes Ezetimibe+simvastatin. However, if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness, especially along with fever, dark-coloured urine or unusual tiredness, please consult your doctor immediately.
You are not recommended to stop taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, take Ezetimibe+simvastatin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Ezetimibe+simvastatin, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be gradually reduced.
