Vytorin indications

List of indications
Primary Hypercholesterolemia Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) ---

Primary Hypercholesterolemia
Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin) is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated total cholesterol, LDL-C, Apo B, TG, and non-HDL-C, and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hypercholesterolemia or mixed hyperlipidemia.

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Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin) is indicated for the reduction of elevated total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable.

Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be a component of multiple risk-factor intervention in individuals at increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Lipid-altering agents should be used in addition to an appropriate diet (including restriction of saturated fat and cholesterol) and when the response to diet and other non-pharmacological measures has been inadequate.

Prior to initiating therapy with Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin), secondary causes for dyslipidemia (i.e., diabetes, hypothyroidism, obstructive liver disease, chronic renal failure, and drugs that increase LDL-C and decrease HDL-C progestins, anabolic steroids, and corticosteroids]), should be excluded or, if appropriate, treated.

A lipid profile should be performed to measure total-C, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG. For TG levels >400 mg/dL (>4.5 mmol/L), LDL-C concentrations should be determined by ultracentrifugation.

At the time of hospitalization for an acute coronary event, lipid measures should be taken on admission or within 24 hours. These values can guide the physician on initiation of LDL-lowering therapy before or at discharge.

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