Crestor Vs. Vytorin
Crestor (rosuvastatin) and Vytorin (ezetimibe-simvastatin) are medications that have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce cholesterol. They are both part of a class called "statins", which reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by decreasing production of cholesterol by the liver.
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Modes of Action
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Crestor reduces cholesterol by increasing the number of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors on cellular membranes and removes LDL (bad) cholesterol from the blood. It also improves vasodilation in coronary and systemic arteries.
Vytorin works by inhibiting intestinal absorption of cholesterol and related phytosterols. As Crestor, it can also improve vasodilation in coronary and systemic arteries.
Crestor Side Effects
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The most common side effects associated with Crestor, according to DIOne, a medication-management system used by hospitals, are headache, nausea, weakness, abdominal pain and muscle pain.
A rare (less than 1 percent incidence) serious side effect that should be reported to a physician immediately, is unexplained muscle pain, tenderness and weakness, especially if these are accompanied by a fever.
Other side effects have included back pain, arthritis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, pneumonia, asthma, dizziness, insomnia, hypertonia, tingling, vertigo, neuralgia, drowsiness, fatigue, cranial-nerve dysfunction, tremor, memory loss, decline in cognitive function, peripheral neuropathy, polyneuropathy, peripheral-nerve palsy, memory loss, depression, anxiety, decreased libido, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, delusions, paranoia, agitation, nightmares, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, constipation, gastroenteritis, vomiting, flatulence, periodontal abscess, gastritis, abdominal pain, pancreatitis, anorexia, flu syndromes, urinary-tract infection, peripheral edema, accidental injury, chest pain, infection, pain, pelvic pain and neck pain, hypertension, angina pectoris, vasodilation, palpitations, anemia, ecchymosis, rash and pruritus.
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Vytorin Side Effects
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Vytorin has the same risk of developing the same rare, serious side effect associated with Crestor, muscle pain and weakness with fever.
More common, less serious side effects are headache, diarrhea, muscle pain and nausea.
Other side effects include pancreatitis, constipation, flatulence, dyspepsia, vomiting, anorexia, back pain, arthritic like pain, various skin rashes, sensitivity to light, hair loss, sinusitis, pharyngitis, viral infection, coughing, angina, erectile dysfunction, impotence, dizziness, tingling, cranial-nerve dysfunction, tremor, vertigo, memory loss, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral-nerve palsy, fatigue, influenza and upper respiratory tract infections.
Considerations
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Patients should be made aware of the many other risk factors for high cholesterol. One cannot assume taking a cholesterol inhibitor will be the lone solution. Other factors include weight, family history of high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, age, diabetes and smoking.
Warnings
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Vytorin and Crestor have both have FDA warnings regarding the potential for developing severe myopathy (muscle weakness) and rhabdomyolysis (a disorder that cause muscle tissue and fiber to break down). Use of Vytorin and Crestor concomitantly with gemfibrozil, niacin, cyclosporine or erythromycin may increase the incidence and the severity of musculoskeletal side effects.
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