When it comes to cholesterol-lowering medications, there are two main types: statins and bile acid sequestrants. Statins are the most popular type of cholesterol-lowering drug, while bile acid sequestrants are not as commonly prescribed. There are a few different types of bile acid sequestrants, but the two most common ones are Vytorin and Zetia. So, what’s the difference between Vytorin and Zetia? And which one is better? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Vytorin?
Vytorin is a medication used to treat high cholesterol. It is a combination of two drugs, simvastatin and ezetimibe. Simvastatin works by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver. Ezetimibe works by preventing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. Vytorin is usually taken once daily, in the evening. It can be taken with or without food. Common side effects include headache, fatigue, muscle pain, and nausea. Vytorin is a prescription medication and is not available over the counter.
What is Zetia?
Zetia is a cholesterol-lowering medication that works by preventing the absorption of cholesterol from the diet. Zetia is used together with diet and exercise to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and to raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol in adults.
- Zetia is also used to treat inherited cholesterol disorders. Zetia may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. You should not use Zetia if you are allergic to ezetimibe, or if you have liver disease. Do not take Zetia with other drugs that contain ezetimibe (Prilosec, Zegerid, Zegerid OTC).
- To make sure Zetia is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or kidney disease. FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Zetia will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
- Zetia can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. Taking Zetia during pregnancy may cause fetal harm. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away.
Difference between Vytorin and Zetia
Vytorin and Zetia are two cholesterol-lowering medications. Vytorin is a combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin, while Zetia is just ezetimibe. Vytorin is generally more effective at reducing LDL cholesterol than Zetia, but both drugs can cause side effects like headache, fatigue, and muscle pain. Vytorin may also increase the risk of cancer, while Zetia does not appear to have this side effect. If you are considering taking either of these drugs, be sure to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Conclusion
Do you want to know the difference between Vytorin and Zetia? Both drugs are used to lower cholesterol, but there are some key differences. We’ve outlined those differences for you here so that you can make an informed decision about which drug is right for you.
