Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain types of high cholesterol in adults and some children. Vytorin comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day.

Vytorin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower cholesterol levels in adults with:

Vytorin is also approved to lower cholesterol levels in children ages 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).

Vytorin has two active ingredients that belong to different drug classes. Ezetimibe belongs to a group of drugs called cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Simvastatin belongs to a drug class called statins. Vytorin is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Vytorin, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Vytorin, including details about its uses, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Vytorin provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Vytorin, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The information below describes Vytorin’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.

Vytorin form

Vytorin comes as an oral tablet.

Vytorin strengths

Vytorin comes in four strengths:

  • 10 milligrams (mg) ezetimibe/10 mg simvastatin
  • 10 mg ezetimibe/20 mg simvastatin
  • 10 mg ezetimibe/40 mg simvastatin
  • 10 mg ezetimibe/80 mg simvastatin

Note: Doctors will likely not prescribe Vytorin 10 mg ezetimibe/80 mg simvastatin due to the risk of side effects. Instead, they’ll likely add a different medication to your cholesterol treatment plan. In some cases, doctors prescribe 10 mg ezetimibe/80 mg simvastatin per day and monitor more closely for side effects.

Typical dosages

Typically, your doctor will prescribe a low dosage to start. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for high cholesterol

Doctors may prescribe Vytorin to treat hyperlipidemia. This includes high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or both. The drug is prescribed in combination with a heart-healthy diet.

If your doctor prescribes Vytorin, your starting dose will likely be 10 mg ezetimibe/10 mg simvastatin. Typically, you’ll take this once per day in the evening. After 2 weeks, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to 10 mg ezetimibe/20 mg simvastatin. This is the typically recommended dosage of Vytorin for people with hyperlipidemia.

If this dose isn’t working for your condition, your doctor may recommend another dose increase, up to 10 mg ezetimibe/40 mg simvastatin once per day. This is also the maximum dosage of Vytorin recommended for high cholesterol.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for homozygous familial high cholesterol

Doctors may prescribe Vytorin to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). This is a rare inherited condition that causes high levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol). The drug is typically prescribed with a heart-healthy diet and taken with other medications to help lower LDL levels.

If your doctor prescribes Vytorin, your starting dose will likely be 10 mg ezetimibe/10 mg simvastatin or 10 mg ezetimibe/20 mg simvastatin. Typically, you’ll take this once per day in the evening. After two weeks, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to 10 mg ezetimibe/40 mg simvastatin once per day. This is also the maximum dosage recommended for HoFH.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Vytorin is approved to treat high cholesterol in children ages 10 years and older with HeFH.

If your child’s doctor prescribes Vytorin for HeFH, their starting dose will be either 10 mg ezetimibe/10 mg simvastatin or 10 mg ezetimibe/20 mg simvastatin. Typically, they’ll take this once per day in the evening. After 2 weeks, your child’s doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg ezetimibe/40 mg simvastatin. This is also the maximum dosage recommended to treat HeFH in children.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Vytorin is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Vytorin is safe and effective, you’ll likely take it long term.

Before you start taking Vytorin, your doctor will discuss the treatment plan with you.

The Vytorin dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your age
  • how your body responds to Vytorin
  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Vytorin to treat
  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Vytorin
  • your liver and kidney function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Vytorin dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications. These drugs can affect the level of Vytorin in your body. Examples include:

To find out what other drugs may interact with Vytorin, see the “Interactions” section of this article.

Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you have liver damage or kidney disease.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

Vytorin comes as a tablet you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water unless your doctor or pharmacist instructs you to.

You may take your dose with or without food.

It may be helpful to take Vytorin around the same time every day, and preferably in the evening. This is because the body produces most of its cholesterol at night. Taking the drug in the evening may help maximize its use in lowering cholesterol levels.

Some people with high cholesterol also take a type of drug called a bile acid sequestrant.* If you take both a bile acid sequestrant and Vytorin, be sure to take them at separate times of the day. It’s important to take Vytorin at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after taking a bile acid sequestrant. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor for more information.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Examples of these drugs include colestipol (Colestid), colesevelam (Welchol), and cholestyramine (Prevalite).

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Vytorin in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Vytorin, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not take more Vytorin than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Vytorin

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Vytorin. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Vytorin.

Is the dosage of Vytorin similar to the dosage of Lipitor?

Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Like Vytorin, Lipitor (atorvastatin) is an oral tablet that’s taken once per day.

However, the dose in milligrams (mg) for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Vytorin contains a statin and a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, whereas Lipitor only contains a statin.

Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Vytorin to start working?

Vytorin starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will check your cholesterol levels during treatment to determine whether the drug is working for you.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Vytorin treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Vytorin for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Vytorin without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Vytorin that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Vytorin. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.