Vytorin: Miracle Drug or Health Danger? Side Effects You Should Know About

Vytorin is a cholesterol lowering drug, prescribed only when diet, exercise, and weight loss are unsuccessful at keeping your cholesterol levels under control. Composed of two major drugs, simvastatin and ezetimibe, it helps reduce "bad" cholesterol in your blood, while increasing "good" cholesterol.

Vytorin side effects may be: Allergic reaction including swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rash; flu; gallstones; headache; inflammation of the gallbladder; inflammation of the liver; inflammation of the pancreas; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; nausea; numbness or pain in the hands or feet; upper respiratory infection.

Nausea, muscle pain and weakness, and headaches are the most commonly experienced Vytorin side effects.

Since Vytorin can cause a break down of the muscle tissues, it is important to immediately contact your doctor if muscle pain or weakness occurs. Avoiding alcohol while on Vytorin is a good bet, but limiting your consumption is definitely recommended for the rest of us who enjoy drinking.

I recommend sticking with a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol while on Vytorin. Also just because exercise didn't help reduce your cholesterol levels (obviously if your taking Vytorin) DO NOT stop. A balanced diet along with exercise can help minimize if not eliminate the majority of the major Vytorin side effects. Healthy diets help keep your body on track as well as help avoid the nausea and fever related side effects. Whereas the regular exercise helps minimize and prevent the muscle fatigue, tenderness and pain (since Vytorin can break down muscle tissues, the best way to keep them fresh and building is exercise).