ezetimibe and simvastatin

Dose range is 10/10 mg/day to 10/40 mg/day. ( 2.1 ) • Recommended usual starting dose is 10/10 or 10/20 mg/day. ( 2.1 ) • Due to the increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, use of the 10/80 mg dose of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets should be restricted to patients who have been taking ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets 10/80 mg chronically (e.g., for 12 months or more) without evidence of muscle toxicity. ( 2.2 ) • Patients who are currently tolerating the 10/80 mg dose of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets who need to be initiated on an interacting drug that is contraindicated or is associated with a dose cap for simvastatin should be switched to an alternative statin or statin-based regimen with less potential for the drug-drug interaction. ( 2.2 ) • Due to the increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, associated with the 10/80 mg dose of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets, patients unable to achieve their LDL-C goal utilizing the 10/40 mg dose of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets should not be titrated to the 10/80 mg dose, but should be placed on alternative LDL-C-lowering treatment(s) that provides greater LDL-C lowering. ( 2.2 ) • Dosing of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets should occur either ≥2 hours before or ≥4 hours after administration of a bile acid sequestrant. ( 2.3 , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) 2.1 Recommended Dosing The…

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: • Rhabdomyolysis and myopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Liver enzyme abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Common (incidence ≥2% and greater than placebo) adverse reactions in clinical trials: headache, increased ALT, myalgia, upper respiratory tract infection, and diarrhea. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact NorthStar RxLLC at 1-800-206-7821 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Ezetimibe and Simvastatin Tablets Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In the ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets placebo-controlled clinical trials database of 1420 patients (age range 20 to 83 years, 52% women, 87% Caucasians, 3% Blacks, 5% Hispanics, 3% Asians) with a median treatment duration of 27 weeks, 5% of patients on ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets and 2.2% of patients on placebo discontinued due to adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions in the group treated with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets that led to treatment…

Ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets are contraindicated in the following conditions: • Concomitant administration of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprevir, telaprevir, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone, and cobicistat-containing products) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. • Concomitant administration of gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, or danazol [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. • Hypersensitivity to any component of this medication [see Adverse Reactions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. • Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in hepatic transaminase levels [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. • Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant . Serum cholesterol and triglycerides increase during normal pregnancy, and cholesterol or cholesterol derivatives are essential for fetal development. Because HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), such as simvastatin, decrease cholesterol synthesis and possibly the synthesis of other biologically active substances derived from cholesterol, ezetimibe and simvastatin may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Atherosclerosis is a chronic process and the discontinuation of lipid-lowering drugs during pregnancy should have little impact on the outcome of long-term therapy of primary hypercholesterolemia. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of ezetimibe and simvastatin use during pregnancy; however, in rare reports congenital anomalies were observed following intrauterine exposure to statins. In rat and rabbit animal reproduction studies, simvastatin revealed no evidence of teratogenicity. Ezetimibe and simvastatin should be administered to women of childbearing age only when such patients are highly unlikely to conceive. If the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, ezetimibe and simvastatin should be discontinued immediately and the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )]. • Nursing mothers. It is not known whether simvastatin is excreted into human milk; however, a small amount of another drug in this class does pass into breast milk. Because statins have the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, women who require ezetimibe and simvastatin treatment should not breastfeed their infants [see Use in Specific Populations ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. • Concomitant administration of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Concomitant administration of gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, or danazol. ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Hypersensitivity to any component of this medication ( 4 , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of hepatic transaminase levels ( 4 , 5.3 ) • Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant ( 4 , 8.1 ) • Nursing mothers ( 4 , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )

Ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets No specific treatment of overdosage with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets can be recommended. In the event of an overdose, symptomatic and supportive measures should be employed. Ezetimibe In clinical studies, administration of ezetimibe, 50 mg/day to 15 healthy subjects for up to 14 days, or 40 mg/day to 18 patients with primary hyperlipidemia for up to 56 days, was generally well tolerated. A few cases of overdosage have been reported; most have not been associated with adverse experiences. Reported adverse experiences have not been serious. Simvastatin Significant lethality was observed in mice after a single oral dose of 9 g/m 2 . No evidence of lethality was observed in rats or dogs treated with doses of 30 and 100 g/m 2 , respectively. No specific diagnostic signs were observed in rodents. At these doses the only signs seen in dogs were emesis and mucoid stools. A few cases of overdosage with simvastatin have been reported; the maximum dose taken was 3.6 g. All patients recovered without sequelae. The dialyzability of simvastatin and its metabolites in man is not known at present.

U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.

[See Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets Drug Interactions Associated with Increased Risk of Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis ( 2.3 , 2.4 , 4 , 5.1 , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid., Error! Hyperlink reference not valid., Error! Hyperlink reference not valid., Error! Hyperlink reference not valid., 12.3 ) Interacting Agents Prescribing Recommendations Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors, (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprevir, telaprevir, nefazodone, cobicistat-containing products), gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, danazol Contraindicated with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets Niacin (≥1 g/day) For Chinese patients, not recommended with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets Verapamil, diltiazem, dronedarone Do not exceed 10/10 mg ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets daily Amiodarone, amlodipine, ranolazine Do not exceed 10/20 mg ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets daily Lomitapide For patients with HoFH, do not exceed 10/20 mg ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets daily * Daptomycin Temporarily suspend ezetimibe and simvastatin Grapefruit juice Avoid grapefruit juice * For patients with HoFH who have been taking 80 mg simvastatin chronically (e.g., for 12 months or more) without evidence of muscle toxicity, do not exceed 10/40 mg ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets when taking lomitapide. • Coumarin anticoagulants: simvastatin prolongs INR. Achieve stable INR prior to starting ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets. Monitor INR frequently until stable upon initiation or alteration of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets therapy. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Cholestyramine: Combination decreases exposure of ezetimibe. ( 2.3 , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Other Lipid-lowering Medications: Use with fenofibrates increases the risk of adverse skeletal muscle effects. Caution should be used when prescribing with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets. ( 5.1 , 7.2 ) • Fenofibrates: Combination increases exposure of ezetimibe. If cholelithiasis is suspected in a patient receiving ezetimibe and a fenofibrate, gallbladder studies are indicated and alternative lipid-lowering therapy should be considered. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , 12.3 ) 7.1 Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors, Cyclosporine, or Danazol Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: The risk of myopathy is increased by reducing the elimination of the simvastatin component of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets. Hence when ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets are used with an inhibitor of CYP3A4 (e.g., as listed below), elevated plasma levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, particularly with higher doses of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Concomitant use of drugs labeled as having a strong inhibitory effect on CYP3A4 is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. If treatment with itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin or telithromycin is unavoidable, therapy with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets must be suspended during the course of treatment. 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 )]. 7.2 Lipid-Lowering Drugs That Can Cause Myopathy When Given Alone Gemfibrozil: Contraindicated with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Fenofibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and fenofibric acid): Caution should be used when prescribing with ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Drug Interactions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. 7.3 Amiodarone, Dronedarone, Ranolazine, or Calcium Channel Blockers The risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, is increased by concomitant administration of amiodarone, dronedarone, ranolazine, or calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, diltiazem or amlodipine [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Table 6 in Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. 7.4 Niacin Cases of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis have been observed with simvastatin coadministered with lipid-modifying doses (≥1 g/day niacin) of niacin-containing products. The risk of myopathy is greater in Chinese patients. In a clinical trial (median follow-up 3.9 years) involving patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease 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 (≥1 g/day) of niacin. Coadministration of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets with lipid-modifying doses (≥1 g/day) of niacin is not recommended in Chinese patients. It is unknown if this risk applies to other Asian patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.8 )] . 7.5 Cholestyramine Concomitant cholestyramine administration decreased the mean AUC of total ezetimibe approximately 55%. The incremental LDL-C reduction due to adding ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets to cholestyramine may be reduced by this interaction. 7.6 Digoxin In one study, concomitant administration of digoxin with simvastatin resulted in a slight elevation in plasma digoxin concentrations. Patients taking digoxin should be monitored appropriately when ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets are initiated. 7.7 Fenofibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and fenofibric acid) The safety and effectiveness of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets administered with fibrates have not been established. Because it is known that the risk of myopathy during treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors is increased with concurrent administration of fenofibrates, Ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets should be administered with caution when used concomitantly with a fenofibrate [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Fenofibrates may increase cholesterol excretion into the bile, leading to cholelithiasis. In a preclinical study in dogs, ezetimibe increased cholesterol in the gallbladder bile [see Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology ( 13.2 )] . If cholelithiasis is suspected in a patient receiving ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets and a fenofibrate, gallbladder studies are indicated and alternative lipid-lowering therapy should be considered [see the product labeling for fenofibrate and fenofibric acid] . 7.8 Coumarin Anticoagulants Simvastatin 20 to 40 mg/day modestly potentiated the effect of coumarin anticoagulants: the prothrombin time, reported as International Normalized Ratio (INR), increased from a baseline of 1.7 to 1.8 and from 2.6 to 3.4 in a normal volunteer study and in a hypercholesterolemic patient study, respectively. With other statins, clinically evident bleeding and/or increased prothrombin time has been reported in a few patients taking coumarin anticoagulants concomitantly. In such patients, prothrombin time should be determined before starting ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets and frequently enough during early therapy to ensure that no significant alteration of prothrombin time occurs. Once a stable prothrombin time has been documented, prothrombin times can be monitored at the intervals usually recommended for patients on coumarin anticoagulants. If the dose of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets is changed or discontinued, the same procedure should be repeated. Simvastatin therapy has not been associated with bleeding or with changes in prothrombin time in patients not taking anticoagulants. Concomitant administration of ezetimibe (10 mg once daily) had no significant effect on bioavailability of warfarin and prothrombin time in a study of twelve healthy adult males. There have been postmarketing reports of increased INR in patients who had ezetimibe added to warfarin. Most of these patients were also on other medications. The effect of ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets on the prothrombin time has not been studied. 7.9 Colchicine Cases of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, have been reported with simvastatin coadministered with colchicine, and caution should be exercised when prescribing ezetimibe and simvastatin tablets with colchicine. 7.10 Daptomycin Cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported with ezetimibe and simvastatin administered with daptomycin. Both ezetimibe and simvastatin and daptomycin can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when given alone and the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis may be increased by coadministration. Temporarily suspend ezetimibe and simvastatin in patients taking daptomycin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].