Vytorin Adverse Reactions

Tabulated list of adverse reactions (Clinical studies): VYTORIN (or co-administration of ezetimibe and simvastatin equivalent to VYTORIN) has been evaluated for safety in approximately 12,000 patients in clinical trials.
The following adverse reactions were observed in clinical studies of VYTORIN in patients treated with VYTORIN (n=2,404) and at a greater incidence than placebo (n=1,340), in patients treated with VYTORIN (n=9,595) and at a greater incidence than statins administered alone (n=8,883) in clinical studies of ezetimibe or simvastatin, and/or reported from post-marketing use with VYTORIN or ezetimibe or simvastatin. These reactions are presented in Table 4 by system organ class and by frequency. (See Table 4.)
The frequencies of adverse events are ranked according to the following: Very common (≥1/10), Common (≥1/100, <1/10), Uncommon (≥1/1000, <1/100), Rare (≥1/10,000, <1/1000), Very Rare (<1/10,000) including isolated reports, and Not Known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Paediatric population: In a study involving adolescent (10 to 17 years of age) patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (n=248), elevations of ALT and/or AST (≥3 X ULN, consecutive) were observed in 3% (4 patients) of the ezetimibe/simvastatin patients compared to 2% (2 patients) in the simvastatin monotherapy group; these figures were respectively 2% (2 patients) and 0% for elevation of CPK (≥10 X ULN). No cases of myopathy were reported.
This trial was not suited for comparison of rare adverse drug reactions.
Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and ACS Event History: In the IMPROVE-IT study (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions), involving 18,144 patients treated with either VYTORIN 10/40 mg (n=9067; of whom 6% were uptitrated to VYTORIN 10/80 mg) or simvastatin 40 mg (n=9077; of whom 27% were uptitrated to simvastatin 80 mg), the safety profiles were similar during a median follow-up period of 6.0 years. Discontinuation rates due to adverse experiences were 10.6% for patients treated with VYTORIN and 10.1% for patients treated with simvastatin. The incidence of myopathy was 0.2% for VYTORIN and 0.1% for simvastatin, where myopathy was defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with a serum CK ≥10 times ULN or two consecutive observations of CK ≥5 and <10 times ULN. The incidence of rhabdomyolysis was 0.1% for VYTORIN and 0.2% for simvastatin, where rhabdomyolysis was defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with a serum CK ≥10 times ULN with evidence of renal injury, ≥5 times ULN and <10 times ULN on two consecutive occasions with evidence of renal injury or CK ≥10,000 IU/L without evidence of renal injury. The incidence of consecutive elevations of transaminases (≥3 X ULN) was 2.5% for VYTORIN and 2.3% for simvastatin. (See Precautions.) Gallbladder-related adverse effects were reported in 3.1% vs 3.5% of patients allocated to VYTORIN and simvastatin, respectively. The incidence of cholecystectomy hospitalisations was 1.5% in both treatment groups. Cancer (defined as any new malignancy) was diagnosed during the trial in 9.4% vs 9.5%, respectively.
Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: In the Study of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP) (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions), involving over 9000 patients treated with VYTORIN 10/20 mg daily (n=4650) or placebo (n=4620), the safety profiles were comparable during a median follow-up period of 4.9 years. In this trial, only serious adverse events and discontinuations due to any adverse events were recorded. Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were comparable (10.4% in patients treated with VYTORIN, 9.8% in patients treated with placebo). The incidence of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis was 0.2% in patients treated with VYTORIN and 0.1% in patients treated with placebo. Consecutive elevations of transaminases (>3 X ULN) occurred in 0.7% of patients treated with VYTORIN compared with 0.6% of patients treated with placebo. (See Precautions.) In this trial, there were no statistically significant increases in the incidence of pre-specified adverse events, including cancer (9.4% for VYTORIN, 9.5% for placebo), hepatitis, cholecystectomy or complications of gallstones or pancreatitis.
Laboratory Values: In co-administration trials, the incidence of clinically important elevations in serum transaminases (ALT and/or AST ≥3 X ULN, consecutive) was 1.7% for patients treated with VYTORIN. These elevations were generally asymptomatic, not associated with cholestasis, and returned to baseline after discontinuation of therapy or with continued treatment. (See Precautions.)
Clinically important elevations of CK (≥10 X ULN) were seen in 0.2% of the patients treated with VYTORIN.
Post-marketing Experience: An apparent hypersensitivity syndrome has been reported rarely which has included some of the following features: angioedema, lupus-like syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, thrombocytopaenia, eosinophilia, red blood cell sedimentation rate increased, arthritis and arthralgia, urticaria, photosensitivity reaction, pyrexia, flushing, dyspnoea and malaise.
Increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, including simvastatin.
There have been rare post-marketing reports of cognitive impairment (e.g., memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment, confusion) associated with statin use, including simvastatin. The reports are generally nonserious, and reversible upon statin discontinuation, with variable times to symptom onset (1 day to years) and symptom resolution (median of 3 weeks).
The following additional adverse events have been reported with some statins: Sleep disturbances, including nightmares; Sexual dysfunction; Diabetes mellitus [frequency will depend on the presence or absence of risk factors (fasting blood glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L, BMI >30 kg/m², raised triglycerides, history of hypertension)].