Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of high cholesterol. Vytorin can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache and muscle aches.

Specifically, Vytorin is used to treat:

The active ingredients in Vytorin are ezetimibe and simvastatin. The drug comes as an oral tablet.

Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects that Vytorin can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Vytorin treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • headache
  • muscle pain (see the “Side effects explained” section)
  • upper respiratory tract infection, including the common cold
  • diarrhea

Mild side effects have been reported with Vytorin. These include:

  • headache
  • diarrhea
  • muscle pain (see the “Side effects explained” section)
  • upper respiratory tract infection
  • back pain
  • pain in the arms or legs
  • flu-like symptoms
  • joint pain
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • rash or itchiness

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Vytorin treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Vytorin may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Vytorin. Some are more common, while others are rare. These include:

  • liver problems (see the “Side effects explained” section)
  • myopathy (muscle damage) and rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle that can lead to kidney damage)
  • immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (a rare autoimmune condition that causes severe muscle weakness)
  • atrial fibrillation

If you develop serious side effects while taking Vytorin, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Vytorin, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Vytorin can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Vytorin treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Vytorin, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Learn more about some of the side effects Vytorin may cause.

Muscle pain

Muscle pain was a common side effect reported in studies of Vytorin. Symptoms typically begin shortly after you start treatment.

Muscle pain and weakness can be symptoms of myopathy (muscle damage). And in rare cases, muscle pain can be a symptom of rhabdomyolysis (a rare but serious type of myopathy that can lead to kidney failure), especially if the pain is severe or accompanied by other symptoms. Other symptoms may include:

Additionally, muscle pain and weakness can be symptoms of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (an autoimmune condition that causes muscle cell death). This can lead to severe muscle weakness.

What might help

If you develop muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, or cramping during Vytorin treatment, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely order a blood test to determine whether you have muscle damage or rhabdomyolysis. If so, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop taking Vytorin.

Liver problems

Vytorin can increase your risk of liver problems. These include increased liver enzymes and liver failure. Although, liver failure wasn’t a side effect seen during studies of Vytorin. There have been reports of this side effect in people taking Vytorin, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Vytorin was the cause.

Liver enzymes are proteins that support your liver function. Increased liver enzymes may be a sign of liver damage.

Increased liver enzymes typically don’t cause symptoms. But if they do, symptoms may include:

  • loss of appetite
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • abdominal pain
  • tiredness
  • nausea and vomiting
  • itchy skin
  • dark urine

What might help

If you develop any symptoms of liver problems, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely order a liver function test (a type of blood test) to check your liver enzymes. If your levels are high, they may have you stop taking Vytorin.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Vytorin treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Vytorin affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Vytorin.

Warnings

Vytorin can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Vytorin is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Vytorin. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • liver problems
  • unexplained muscle aches or weakness
  • myasthenia gravis or ocular myasthenia
  • kidney problems
  • thyroid problems
  • age 65 years or older
  • people of Chinese descent
  • previous allergic reaction to Vytorin
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.