Tell your doctor right away if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. This is because on rare occasions, muscle problems can be serious, including muscle breakdown resulting in kidney damage.

The risk of muscle breakdown is greater at higher doses of Vytorin. The risk of muscle breakdown is greater in patients with kidney problems. Taking Vytorin with certain substances can increase the risk of muscle problems. It is particularly important to tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Cyclosporine.
• Danazol.
• Antifungal agents (such as itraconazole or ketoconazole).
• Fibric acid derivatives (such as gemfibrozil, bezafibrate, or fenofibrate).
• The antibiotics erythromycin, clarithromycin, and telithromycin.
• HIV protease inhibitors (such as indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir).
• The antidepressant nefazodone.
• Amiodarone (a drug used to treat an irregular heartbeat).
• Verapamil or diltiazem (a drug used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain associated with heart disease, or other heart conditions).
• Large quantities of grapefruit juice (> 1 quart daily).
• Large doses (= 1 g/day) of niacin or nicotinic acid.

Tell your doctor if you are taking niacin or a niacin-containing product, as this may increase your risk of muscle problems, especially if you are Chinese.

It is also important to tell your doctor if you are taking coumarin anticoagulants (drugs that prevent blood clots, such as warfarin).

Tell your doctor about any prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking or plan to take, including natural or herbal remedies.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including allergies. Tell your doctor if you:

• Drink substantial quantities of alcohol or ever had liver problems. Vytorin may not be right for you.
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not use Vytorin if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Vytorin, stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately.
• Are breast-feeding. Do not use Vytorin if you are breast-feeding. Tell other doctors prescribing a new medication that you are taking Vytorin.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...This answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.