Atorvastatin/Ezetimibe (By mouth)

a-tor-va-STAT-in KAL-see-um, e-ZET-i-mibe

Lowers high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This medicine contains a cholesterol absorption inhibitor and a statin.

Drug classes

Antihyperlipidemic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Ezetimibe and atorvastatin combination is used together with a proper diet to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) levels in the blood. This medicine may help prevent medical problems (eg, heart attack, stroke) caused by clogged blood vessels. It is also used to treat a condition called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).

Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor and atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, or statin. These medicines will reduce the absorption of cholesterol from foods and the production of cholesterol in your body.

This medicine was available only with your doctor’s prescription.

The atorvastatin/ezetimibe combination (Liptruzet(R)) was withdrawn from the United States market on June 2, 2015.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, chew, or dissolve it.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Keep your medicine in the blister pack until you are ready to use it. Store an opened blister pack in a dry place and protect it from moisture and light. After you remove a tablet, slide the blister card back into the folded card.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some foods and medicines can affect how atorvastatin/ezetimibe woks. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following:

Boceprevir, cholestyramine, cimetidine, colchicine, cyclosporine, digoxin, fenofibrate, fenofibric acid, gemfibrozil, niacin, spironolactone, or telaprevir Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, medicine to treat an infection, birth control pills, or a blood thinner (such as warfarin)

Do not drink more than 1.2 liters of grapefruit juice per day.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to atorvastatin or ezetimibe, you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have active liver disease. This medicine was withdrawn from the United States market on June 2, 2015.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, low blood pressure, seizures, thyroid problems, muscle problems, or had a recent stroke. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Myopathy or rhabdomyolysis (muscle damage) Liver problems

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you use this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery, a major injury, or other serious health problems.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

Unusual tiredness or a fever

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Liptruzet

There may be other brand names for this medicine.