Precautions and Warnings With Ezetimibe/Simvastatin

• Liver disease or liver failure
• Kidney disease or kidney failure
• Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
   

• Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Will be undergoing a procedure or surgery
• Drink alcohol frequently.
   

Specific Ezetimibe/Simvastatin Precautions and Warnings

• Ezetimibe/simvastatin can interact with certain medications (see Drug Interactions With Ezetimibe/Simvastatin).
   
• If you are an alcoholic or drink alcohol frequently, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to starting ezetimibe/simvastatin. Alcohol can affect the way the liver works, indirectly affecting how ezetimibe/simvastatin works.
   
• Statins have been known to cause an increase in liver enzymes. Therefore, it you should have a blood test to check your liver function before starting ezetimibe/simvastatin and then again several months after treatment has started. These tests may also be recommended if the ezetimibe/simvastatin dosage is changed (see Vytorin and Liver Problems).
   
• Rhabdomyolysis (the severe breakdown of muscles) and other serious muscle problems have been reported rarely with ezetimibe/simvastatin and other statins. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if accompanied by body aches or a fever (see Vytorin and Muscle Pain).
   
• Ezetimibe/simvastatin is a pregnancy Category X medicine, which means it could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. The safety of ezetimibe/simvastatin in pregnant women has not been established. Therefore, if you become pregnant while taking this medication, talk to your healthcare provider immediately (see Vytorin and Pregnancy).
   
• If you are nursing, it is not known whether ezetimibe/simvastatin passes through breast milk. Therefore, ask your healthcare provider whether to stop nursing or to stop using the medication.