Ezetimibe and Simvastatin (Page 3 of 9)

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Body as Whole:
fever, chills, malaise, asthenia
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders:
anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, positive ANA, ESR increase, eosinophilia
Gastrointestinal Disorders:
pancreatitis, nausea, vomiting
Hepatobiliary Disorders:
cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, elevations in liver transaminases, hepatitis/jaundice, fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure
Immune System Disorders:
hypersensitivity syndrome including: anaphylaxis, angioedema, lupus erythematous-like syndrome, dermatomyositis, vasculitis
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders:
muscle cramps, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, myalgia, arthralgia, polymyalgia rheumatica, arthritis, elevated creatine phosphokinase
Nervous System Disorders:
dizziness, depression, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, rare reports of cognitive impairment (e.g., memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment, confusion) associated with statin use. Cognitive impairment was generally nonserious, and reversible upon statin discontinuation, with variable times to symptom onset (1 day to years) and symptom resolution (median of 3 weeks). There have been rare reports of new-onset or exacerbation of myasthenia gravis, including ocular myasthenia, and reports of recurrence when the same or a different statin was administered.
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders:
rash, pruritus, alopecia, a variety of skin changes (e.g., nodules, discoloration, dryness of skin/mucous membranes, changes to hair/nails), purpura, lichen planus, urticaria, photosensitivity, flushing, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Respiratory and Thoracic:
interstitial lung disease, dyspnea
Reproductive System Disorders:
erectile dysfunction

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

Ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets

7.1 Drug Interactions that Increase the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis with Ezetimibe and Simvastatin Tablets

Ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets are a substrate of CYP3A4 and of the transport protein OATP1B1. ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets plasma levels can be significantly increased with concomitant administration of inhibitors of CYP3A4 and OATP1B1.
Table 2 includes a list of drugs that increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when used concomitantly with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets and instructions for preventing or managing them [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Cyclosporine or Danazol: The risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis is increased by concomitant administration of cyclosporine or danazol. Therefore, concomitant use of these drugs is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Table 2: Drug Interactions that Increase the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis with Ezetimibe and Simvastatin Tablets
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
Clinical Impact:
Simvastatin is a substrate of CYP3A4. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets increases simvastatin exposure and increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, particularly with higher ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets dosages.
Intervention:
Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets are contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)]. If treatment with a CYP3A4 inhibitor is unavoidable, suspend ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets during the course of strong CYP3A4 inhibitor treatment.
Examples:
Select azole anti-fungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole), select macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin and clarithromycin, telithromycin), select HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, and darunavir/ritonavir), select HCV protease inhibitors (e.g., boceprevir and telaprevir), cobicistat-containing products, and nefazodone.
Cyclosporine, Danazol, or Gemfibrozil
Clinical Impact:
The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased with concomitant use of cyclosporine, danazol, or gemfibrozil with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets. Gemfibrozil may cause myopathy when given alone.
Intervention:
Concomitant use of cyclosporine, danazol, or gemfibrozil with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets are contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)].
Amiodarone, Dronedarone, Ranolazine, or Calcium Channel Blockers
Clinical Impact:
The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased by concomitant use of amiodarone, dronedarone, ranolazine, or calcium channel blockers with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets.
Intervention:
For patients taking verapamil, diltiazem, or dronedarone, do not exceed ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets 10/10 mg daily. For patients taking amiodarone, amlodipine, or ranolazine, do not exceed ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets 10/20 mg daily [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Lomitapide
Clinical Impact:
Simvastatin exposure is approximately doubled with concomitant use of lomitapide and the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased.
Intervention:
Reduce the dose of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets by 50% if initiating lomitapide. Do not exceed ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets 10/20 mg daily (or ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets 10/40 mg daily for patients who have previously taken ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets 10/80 mg daily chronically) while taking lomitapide [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.3)].
Daptomycin
Clinical Impact:
Cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported with simvastatin administered with daptomycin. Both ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets and daptomycin can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when given alone and the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis may be increased by coadministration.
Intervention:
If treatment with daptomycin is required, consider temporarily suspending ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets during the course of daptomycin treatment.
Niacin
Clinical Impact:
Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been observed with concomitant use of lipid modifying dosages of niacin-containing products (≥1 gram/day niacin) with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets. The risk of myopathy is greater in Chinese patients. In a clinical trial (median follow-up 3.9 years) of patients at high risk of CVD and with well-controlled LDL-C levels on simvastatin 40 mg/day with or without ezetimibe 10 mg/day, there was no incremental benefit on cardiovascular outcomes with the addition of lipid-modifying doses of niacin
Intervention:
Concomitant use of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets with lipid-modifying dosages of niacin is not recommended in Chinese patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.8)]. For non-Chinese patients, consider if the benefit of using lipid-modifying doses of niacin concomitantly with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dose titration of either drug.
Fibrates (other than Gemfibrozil)
Clinical Impact:
Fibrates may cause myopathy when given alone. The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased with concomitant use of fibrates with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets.
Intervention:
Consider if the benefit of using fibrates concomitantly with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dose titration of either drug.
Colchicine
Clinical Impact:
Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported with concomitant use of colchicine with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets.
Intervention:
Consider if the benefit of using colchicine concomitantly with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dose titration of either drug.
Grapefruit Juice
Clinical Impact:
Grapefruit juice can raise the plasma levels of simvastatin and may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
Intervention:
Avoid grapefruit juice when taking ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets.

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