Vytorin Drug Information
Generic name: EZETIMIBE AND SIMVASTATIN
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor [EPC] Dietary Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor [EPC]
Uses of Vytorin
- ® is a combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe indicated: As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): In adults with primary hyperlipidemia. In adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). As an adjunct to other LDL-C-lowering therapies to reduce elevated LDL-C in adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). Simvastatin Simvastatin, when used as a component of VYTORIN, is indicated to reduce the risk of total mortality by reducing risk of coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke, and the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures in adults with established coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and/or diabetes, who are at high risk of coronary heart disease events. VYTORIN is a combination of ezetimibe, a dietary cholesterol absorption inhibitor, and simvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) indicated: As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): In adults with primary hyperlipidemia. In adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). As an adjunct to other LDL-C lowering therapies to reduce LDL-C in adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). Simvastatin Simvastatin, when used as a component of VYTORIN, is indicated to reduce the risk of total mortality by reducing risk of coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke, and the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures in adults with established coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and/or diabetes, who are at high risk of coronary heart disease events.
Dosage & Administration of Vytorin
Important Dosage and
Administration Information Take VYTORIN orally once daily in the evening with or without food. The maximum recommended dosage is VYTORIN 10/40 mg once daily. The VYTORIN 10/80 mg daily dosage is restricted to adult patients who have been taking VYTORIN 10/80 mg daily chronically (e.g., for 12 months or more) without evidence of muscle toxicity . For patients that require a high-intensity statin or are unable to achieve their LDL-C goal receiving VYTORIN 10/40 mg daily, prescribe alternative LDL-C-lowering treatment.
If as dose is missed, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Do not double the next dose. Assess LDL-C when clinically appropriate, as early as 4 weeks after initiating VYTORIN, and adjust the dosage if necessary.
Recommended Dosage in Adult Patients
The recommended dosage range of VYTORIN 10/10 mg to 10/40 mg once a day.
Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients 10 Years of Age and Older with
HeFH The recommended dosage range of VYTORIN 10/10 mg to 10/40 mg once a day.
Recommended Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment Renal impairment is a risk
factor for statin-associated myopathy. Doses of VYTORIN exceeding 10/20 mg should be used with caution and close monitoring in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment . There are no dosage adjustment recommendations for patients with mild renal impairment.
Dosage Modifications Due to Drug Interactions
Concomitant use of VYTORIN with the following drugs requires dosage modification of VYTORIN . Patients taking Lomitapide Reduce the dosage of VYTORIN by 50%. Do not exceed VYTORIN 10/20 mg once daily (or 10/40 mg once daily for patients who have previously taken VYTORIN 10/80 mg daily chronically while taking lomitapide) . Patients taking Verapamil, Diltiazem, or Dronedarone Do not exceed VYTORIN 10/10 mg once daily. Patients taking Amiodarone, Amlodipine, or Ranolazine Do not exceed VYTORIN 10/20 mg once daily. Patients taking Bile Acid Sequestrants In patients taking a bile acid sequestrant, administer VYTORIN at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after the bile acid sequestrant.
Side Effects of Vytorin
Clinical Trials Experience
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. VYTORIN In the VYTORIN (ezetimibe and simvastatin) placebo-controlled clinical trials database of 1420 patients (age range 20-83 years, 52% female, 87% White, 3% Black or African American, 3% Asians, 5% other races identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity) with a median treatment duration of 27 weeks, 5% of patients on VYTORIN and 2.2% of patients on placebo discontinued due to adverse reactions. The most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥2% and greater than placebo) in controlled clinical trials were: headache (5.8%), increased ALT (3.7%), myalgia (3.6%), upper respiratory tract infection (3.6%), and diarrhea (2.8%). The most common adverse reactions in the group treated with VYTORIN that led to treatment discontinuation and occurred at a rate greater than placebo were: increased ALT (0.9%), myalgia (0.6%), increased AST (0.4%), and back pain (0.4%). VYTORIN has been evaluated for safety in more than 10,189 patients in clinical trials.
Table 1 summarizes the frequency of clinical adverse reactions reported in ≥2% of patients treated with VYTORIN (n=1420) and at an incidence greater than placebo from four placebo-controlled trials. Table 1 Includes two placebo-controlled combination studies in which the active ingredients equivalent to VYTORIN were coadministered and two placebo-controlled studies in which VYTORIN was administered. : Adverse Reactions Reported ≥2% of Patients Treated with VYTORIN at an Incidence Greater than Placebo Regardless of Causality % Placebo N = 371 % Ezetimibe 10 mg N = 302 % Simvastatin All doses. N = 1234 % VYTORIN N = 1420 Headache 5.4 6.0 5.9
Diarrhea 2.2 5.0 3.7 2.8 Pain in extremity 1.3 3.0 2.0 2.3
Influenza 0.8 1.0 1.9
Study of Heart and Renal Protection
In SHARP, 9270 patients were allocated to VYTORIN 10/20 mg daily (n=4650) or placebo (n=4620) for a median follow-up period of 4.9 years. The proportion of patients who permanently discontinued trial treatment as a result of either an adverse event or abnormal safety blood result was 10.4% vs. 9.8% among patients allocated to VYTORIN and placebo, respectively. Comparing those allocated to VYTORIN vs. placebo, the incidence of myopathy (defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with a serum CK >10 times ULN) was 0.2% vs. 0.1% and the incidence of rhabdomyolysis (defined as myopathy with a CK >40 times ULN) was 0.09% vs. 0.02%, respectively.
Consecutive elevations of transaminases (>3 X ULN) occurred in 0.7% vs. 0.6%, respectively. Patients were asked about the occurrence of unexplained muscle pain or weakness at each trial visit: 21.5% vs. 20.9% patients ever reported muscle symptoms in the VYTORIN and placebo groups, respectively. Cancer was diagnosed during the trial in 9.4% vs. 9.5% of patients assigned to VYTORIN and placebo, respectively.
Ezetimibe Other adverse reactions reported with ezetimibe in placebo-controlled studies, regardless of causality assessment: Musculoskeletal system disorders: arthralgia; Infections and infestations: sinusitis; Body as a whole – general disorders: fatigue. Simvastatin In a clinical outcome trial in which 12,064 adult patients with a history of myocardial infarction were treated with simvastatin (mean follow-up 6.7 years), the incidence of myopathy (defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with a serum creatine kinase >10 times (1200 U/L) upper limit of normal ) in patients taking simvastatin 20 mg and 80 mg daily was approximately 0.02% and 0.9% respectively. The incidence of rhabdomyolysis (defined as myopathy with a CK >40 times ULN) in patients taking simvastatin 20 mg and 80 mg daily was approximately 0% and 0.4%. The incidence of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, was highest during the first year and then notably decreased during the subsequent years of treatment.
In this trial, patients were carefully monitored and some interacting medicinal products were excluded. Other adverse reactions reported with simvastatin in placebo-controlled clinical trials: atrial fibrillation; vertigo; abdominal pain, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis; eczema, rash; diabetes mellitus; bronchitis, sinusitis, urinary tract infections; asthenia, edema/swelling; and insomnia. Laboratory Tests Marked persistent increases of hepatic serum transaminases have been noted . Elevated alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase have been reported.
About 5% of patients taking simvastatin had elevations of CK levels of 3 or more times the normal value on one or more occasions. This was attributable to the noncardiac fraction of CK .
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of VYTORIN. 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 including elevations more than 5 X ULN, 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
Warnings & Cautions for Vytorin
Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis
VYTORIN may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Acute kidney injury secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred as a result of rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins, including VYTORIN. In clinical trials of 24,747 simvastatin-treated patients with a median follow-up of 4 years, the incidence of myopathy, defined as unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by creatinine kinase (CK) increases greater than ten times the upper limit of normal (10 X ULN), were approximately 0.03%, 0.08%, and 0.61% in patients treated with simvastatin 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg daily, respectively. In another clinical trial of 12,064 simvastatin-treated patients (with a history of myocardial infarction) with a mean follow-up of 6.7 years, the incidences of myopathy in patients taking simvastatin 20 mg and 80 mg daily were approximately 0.02% and 0.9%, respectively.
The incidences of rhabdomyolysis (defined as myopathy with a CK >40 X ULN) in patients taking simvastatin 20 mg and 80 mg daily were approximately 0% and 0.4%, respectively . In the Trial of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP), 9270 patients with chronic kidney disease were allocated to receive VYTORIN 10/20 mg daily (n=4650) or placebo (n=4620). During a median follow-up period of 4.9 years, the incidence of myopathy (defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with a serum creatine kinase >10 times upper limit of normal ) was 0.2% for VYTORIN and 0.1% for placebo: the incidence of rhabdomyolysis (defined as myopathy with a CK > 40 times ULN) was 0.09% for VYTORIN and 0.02% for placebo. In postmarketing experience with ezetimibe, cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported. Most patients who developed rhabdomyolysis were taking a statin prior to initiating ezetimibe.
However, rhabdomyolysis has been reported with ezetimibe monotherapy and with the addition of ezetimibe to agents known to be associated with increased risk of rhabdomyolysis, such as fibric acid derivatives. VYTORIN and a fenofibrate, if taking concomitantly, should both be immediately discontinued if myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. Risk Factors for Myopathy Risk factors for myopathy include age 65 years or greater, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, concomitant use with certain other drugs (including other lipid-lowering therapies), and higher VYTORIN dosage; Chinese patients on VYTORIN may be at higher risk for myopathy . The risk of myopathy is increased by elevated plasma levels of simvastatin and simvastatin acid.
The risk is also greater in patients taking VYTORIN 80 mg daily compared with patients taking lower VYTORIN dosages and compared with patients using other statins with similar or greater LDL-C-lowering efficacy . Steps to Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis The concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with VYTORIN is contraindicated. If short-term treatment with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is required, temporarily suspend VYTORIN during the duration of strong CYP3A4 inhibitor treatment. The concomitant use of VYTORIN with gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, or danazol is also contraindicated . VYTORIN dosage modifications are recommended for patients taking lomitapide, verapamil, diltiazem, dronedarone, amiodarone, amlodipine or ranolazine . VYTORIN use should be temporarily suspended in patients taking daptomycin.
Lipid modifying doses (≥1 gram/day) of niacin, fibrates, colchicine, and grapefruit juice may also increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis . Use the 80 mg daily dosage of VYTORIN only in patients who have been taking simvastatin 80 mg daily chronically without evidence of muscle toxicity . If patients treated with VYTORIN 80 mg are prescribed an interacting drug that increases the risk for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, switch to an alternate statin . Discontinue VYTORIN if markedly elevated CK levels occur or if myopathy is either diagnosed or suspected. Muscle symptoms and CK increases may resolve if VYTORIN is discontinued. Temporarily discontinue VYTORIN in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis, e.g., sepsis; shock; severe hypovolemia; major surgery; trauma; severe metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders; or uncontrolled epilepsy.
Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the VYTORIN dosage and advise patients receiving VYTORIN 80 mg of the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever.
Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy
There have been rare reports of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune myopathy, associated with statin use, including reports of recurrence when the same or a different statin was administered. IMNM is characterized by proximal muscle weakness and elevated serum creatine kinase that persist despite discontinuation of statin treatment; positive anti-HMG CoA reductase antibody; muscle biopsy showing necrotizing myopathy without significant inflammation; and improvement with immunosuppressive agents. Additional neuromuscular and serologic testing may be necessary.
Treatment with immunosuppressive agents may be required. Discontinue VYTORIN if IMNM is suspected.
Hepatic Dysfunction Increases in serum transaminases have been reported with use of
VYTORIN . In most cases, these changes appeared soon after initiation, were transient, were not accompanied by symptoms, and resolved or improved on continued therapy or after a brief interruption in therapy. Marked persistent increases of hepatic transaminases have also occurred with VYTORIN. There have been rare postmarketing reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure in patients taking statins, including VYTORIN. In three placebo-controlled, 12-week trials, the incidence of consecutive elevations (≥3 X ULN) in serum transaminases was 1.7% overall for patients treated with VYTORIN and appeared to be dose-related with an incidence of 2.6% for patients treated with VYTORIN 10/80. In controlled long-term (48-week) extensions, which included both newly-treated and previously-treated patients, the incidence of consecutive elevations (≥3 X ULN) in serum transaminases was 1.8% overall and 3.6% for patients treated with VYTORIN 10/80. These elevations in transaminases were generally asymptomatic, not associated with cholestasis, and returned to baseline after discontinuation of therapy or with continued treatment. In SHARP, 9270 patients with chronic kidney disease were allocated to receive VYTORIN 10/20 mg daily (n=4650), or placebo (n=4620). During a median follow-up period of 4.9 years, the incidence of consecutive elevations of transaminases (>3 X ULN) was 0.7% for VYTORIN and 0.6% for placebo.
Patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease may be at increased risk for hepatic injury. Consider liver enzyme testing before VYTORIN initiation and when clinically indicated thereafter. VYTORIN is contraindicated in patients with acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis . If serious hepatic injury with clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice occurs, promptly discontinue VYTORIN.
Increases in HbA1c and Fasting Serum Glucose Levels Increases in HbA1c and
fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with statins, including VYTORIN. Optimize lifestyle measures, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and making healthy food choices.
Drug Interactions with Vytorin
Drug Interactions that Increase the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis with
VYTORIN VYTORIN is a substrate of CYP3A4 and of the transport protein OATP1B1. VYTORIN 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 VYTORIN and instructions for preventing or managing them . Table 2: Drug Interactions that Increase the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis with VYTORIN Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors Clinical Impact: Simvastatin is a substrate of CYP3A4. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with VYTORIN increases simvastatin exposure and increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, particularly with higher VYTORIN dosages. Intervention: Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with VYTORIN is contraindicated . If treatment with a CYP3A4 inhibitor is unavoidable, suspend VYTORIN 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 VYTORIN. Gemfibrozil may cause myopathy when given alone. Intervention: Concomitant use of cyclosporine, danazol, or gemfibrozil with VYTORIN is contraindicated . 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 VYTORIN. Intervention: For patients taking verapamil, diltiazem, or dronedarone, do not exceed VYTORIN 10/10 mg daily. For patients taking amiodarone, amlodipine, or ranolazine, do not exceed VYTORIN 10/20 mg daily . 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 VYTORIN by 50% if initiating lomitapide. Do not exceed VYTORIN 10/20 mg daily (or VYTORIN 10/40 mg daily for patients who have previously taken VYTORIN 10/80 mg daily chronically) while taking lomitapide . Daptomycin Clinical Impact: Cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported with simvastatin administered with daptomycin. Both VYTORIN 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 VYTORIN 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 VYTORIN. 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 VYTORIN with lipid-modifying dosages of niacin is not recommended in Chinese patients . For non-Chinese patients, consider if the benefit of using lipid-modifying doses of niacin concomitantly with VYTORIN 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 VYTORIN. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using fibrates concomitantly with VYTORIN 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 VYTORIN. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using colchicine concomitantly with VYTORIN 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 VYTORIN.
Drug Interactions that Decrease the Efficacy of
VYTORIN Table 3 presents drug interactions that may decrease the efficacy of VYTORIN and instructions for preventing or managing them. Table 3: Drug Interactions that Decrease the Efficacy of VYTORIN Bile Acid Sequestrants Clinical Impact: Concomitant cholestyramine administration decreased the mean exposure of total ezetimibe approximately 55%. The incremental LDL-C reduction due to adding VYTORIN to cholestyramine may be reduced by this interaction . Intervention: In patients taking a bile acid sequestrant, administer VYTORIN at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after cholestyramine .
VYTORIN’s Effect on Other Drugs Table 4 presents
VYTORIN’s effect on other drugs and instructions for preventing or managing them. Table 4: VYTORIN Effects on Other Drugs Coumarin Anticoagulants Clinical Impact: VYTORIN may potentiate the effect of coumarin anticoagulants and increase the INR. The concomitant use of simvastatin (20 to 40 mg) and coumarin anticoagulants increased the INR from a baseline of 1.7 to 1.8 in healthy subjects and from 2.6 to 3.4 in patients with hyperlipidemia. There are postmarketing reports of clinically evident bleeding and/or increased INR in patients taking concomitant statins (with or without ezetimibe) and coumarin anticoagulants.
Intervention: In patients taking coumarin anticoagulants, obtain an INR before starting VYTORIN and frequently enough after initiation, dose titration, or discontinuation to ensure that no significant alteration in INR occurs. Once the INR is stable, monitor INR at regularly recommended intervals. Digoxin Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of digoxin with VYTORIN may result in elevated plasma digoxin concentrations . Intervention: Monitor digoxin levels in patients taking digoxin when VYTORIN is initiated.
Fenofibrates Clinical Impact: Both ezetimibe and fenofibrates may increase cholesterol excretion into the bile, leading to cholelithiasis. Intervention: If cholelithiasis is suspected in a patient receiving VYTORIN and a fenofibrate, gallbladder studies are indicated and alternative lipid-lowering therapy should be considered .
Pregnancy Safety for Vytorin
Pregnancy VYTORIN Risk Summary Discontinue VYTORIN when pregnancy is recognized. Alternatively, consider the ongoing therapeutic needs of the individual patient. VYTORIN decreases synthesis of cholesterol and possibly other biologically active substances derived from cholesterol; therefore, VYTORIN may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant patients based on the mechanism of action . In addition, treatment of hyperlipidemia is not generally necessary during pregnancy.
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 hyperlipidemia for most patients. Available data from case series and prospective and retrospective observational cohort studies over decades of use with statins in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major congenital malformations. Published data from prospective and retrospective observational cohort studies with VYTORIN use in pregnant women are insufficient to determine if there is a drug-associated risk of miscarriage (see Data ). In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed in pregnant rats or rabbits orally administered simvastatin during the period of organogenesis at doses that resulted in 2.5 and 2 times, respectively, the human exposure at the maximum recommended human dosage of 80 mg/day, based on body surface area (mg/m 2 ). In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed in pregnant rats and rabbits orally administered ezetimibe during the period of organogenesis at doses that resulted in up to 10 and 150 times, respectively, the human exposure at the MRHD, based on AUC (see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data Ezetimibe There are insufficient data on ezetimibe use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Simvastatin A Medicaid cohort linkage trial of 1152 statin-exposed pregnant women compared to 886,996 controls did not find a significant teratogenic effect from maternal use of statins in the first trimester of pregnancy, after adjusting for potential confounders – including maternal age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and alcohol and tobacco use – using propensity score-based methods.
The relative risk of congenital malformations between the group with statin use and the group with no statin use in the first trimester was 1.07 (95% confidence interval 0.85 to 1.37) after controlling for confounders, particularly pre-existing diabetes mellitus. There were also no statistically significant increases in any of the organ-specific malformations assessed after accounting for confounders. In the majority of pregnancies, statin treatment was initiated prior to pregnancy and was discontinued at some point in the first trimester when pregnancy was identified.
Trial limitations include reliance on physician coding to define the presence of a malformation, lack of control for certain confounders such as body mass index, use of prescription dispensing as verification for the use of a statin, and lack of information on non-live births. Animal Data Ezetimibe In oral (gavage) embryo-fetal development studies of ezetimibe conducted in rats (gestation days 6-15) and rabbits (gestation days 7-19), there was no evidence of maternal toxicity or embryolethality at any dose tested (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg/day) at exposure equivalent to 10 to 150 times the clinical exposure, based on AUC, in rats and rabbits. In rats, increased incidences of common fetal skeletal findings (extra pair of thoracic ribs, unossified cervical vertebral centra, shortened ribs) were observed at 1000 mg/kg/day (~10 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC 0-24hr for total ezetimibe). In rabbits treated with ezetimibe, an increased incidence of extra thoracic ribs was observed at 1000 mg/kg/day (150 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC 0-24hr for total ezetimibe). The animal-to-human exposure multiple for total ezetimibe at the no-observed effect level was 6 times for rat and 134 times for rabbit.
Fetal exposure to ezetimibe (conjugated and unconjugated) was confirmed in subsequent placental transfer studies conducted using a maternal dose of 1000 mg/kg/day. The fetal maternal plasma exposure ratio (total ezetimibe) was 1.5 for rats on gestation day 20 and 0.03 for rabbits on gestation day 22. The effect of ezetimibe on prenatal and postnatal development and maternal function was evaluated in pregnant rats at doses of 100, 300 or 1000 mg/kg/day (gestation day 6 through lactation day 21). No maternal toxicity or adverse developmental outcomes were observed up to and including the highest dose tested (17 times the human exposure at 10 mg daily based on AUC 0-24hr for total ezetimibe). Multiple-dose studies of ezetimibe given in combination with statins in rats and rabbits during organogenesis resulted in higher ezetimibe and statin exposures. Reproductive findings occurred at lower doses in combination therapy compared to monotherapy.
Simvastatin Simvastatin was given to pregnant rats at doses of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg/day (0.6 times, 1.3 times, and 2.5 times, respectively, the maximum recommended dosage of 80 mg/day when normalized to body surface area) from gestation days 6-17 and to pregnant rabbits from gestation days 6-18 at doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day (0.5 times, 1 times, and 2 times, respectively, the maximum recommended dosage of 80 mg/day when normalized to body surface area). For both species, there was no evidence of maternal toxicity, or embryolethality. In rats, mean fetal body weights in the 25 mg/kg/day group were decreased 5.4%. Similar fetal body weight effects were not observed in rabbits. Simvastatin doses of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg/day (0.6 times, 1.3 times, and 2.5 times, respectively, the maximum recommended dosage of 80 mg/day when normalized to body surface area) were given to pregnant rats from gestation day 15 to lactation day 21. Slight decreases in maternal body weight gain and pup postnatal day 0 weight were observed in the 25 mg/kg/day dose group.
Mean body weight gain of pups during lactation was slightly decreased at doses ≥12.5 mg/kg/day. Post weaning weight, behavior, reproductive performance and fertility of the offspring were not affected at any dose tested. Placental transfer of simvastatin was not evaluated in rats or rabbits.
However, it has been shown that other drugs in this class cross the placenta.
Pediatric Use of Vytorin
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of ezetimibe in combination with a statin as an adjunct to diet to reduce LDL-C have been established in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HeFH. Use of VYTORIN for this indication is based on a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 248 pediatric patients (142 males and 106 postmenarchal females) 10 years of age and older with HeFH . In this limited controlled trial, there was no significant effect on growth or sexual maturation in the adolescent males or females, or on menstrual cycle length in females. The safety and effectiveness of VYTORIN have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 10 years of age with HeFH, or in pediatric patients with other types of hyperlipidemia.
Contraindications for Vytorin
is contraindicated in the following conditions: Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (select azole anti-fungals, macrolide antibiotics, anti-viral medications, and nefazodone) . Concomitant use of cyclosporine, danazol, or danazol . Acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis . Hypersensitivity to simvastatin, ezetimibe, or any excipients in VYTORIN. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been reported . Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (select azole anti-fungals, macrolide antibiotics, anti-viral medications and nefazodone). Concomitant use of cyclosporine, danazol or gemfibrozil. Acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis. Hypersensitivity to simvastatin, ezetimibe or any excipient of VYTORIN.
Overdosage Information for Vytorin
No specific antidotes for VYTORIN are known. In the event of an overdose with VYTORIN, consider contacting the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for overdosage management recommendations.
Clinical Studies of Vytorin
Primary Hyperlipidemia in Adults VYTORIN VYTORIN reduces LDL-C in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia. Maximal to near maximal response is generally achieved within 2 weeks and maintained during chronic therapy. VYTORIN is effective in males and females with primary hyperlipidemia.
There were insufficient numbers of patients who self-identified as Black or African American, Asian, or other races to determine if these patients responded differently than White patients. Five multicenter, double-blind trials conducted with either VYTORIN or coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin equivalent to VYTORIN in patients with primary hyperlipidemia are reported: two were comparisons with simvastatin, two were comparisons with atorvastatin, and one was a comparison with rosuvastatin. In a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week trial, 1528 patients with primary hyperlipidemia were randomized to one of ten treatment groups: placebo, ezetimibe (10 mg), simvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg), or VYTORIN (10/10, 10/20, 10/40, or 10/80). When patients receiving VYTORIN were compared to those receiving all doses of simvastatin, VYTORIN significantly lowered total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, TG, and non-HDL-C. The effects of VYTORIN on HDL-C were similar to the effects seen with simvastatin.
Further analysis showed VYTORIN significantly increased HDL-C compared with placebo. (See Table 8.) The lipid response to VYTORIN was similar in patients with TG levels greater than or less than 200 mg/dL. Table 8: Response to VYTORIN in Patients with Primary Hyperlipidemia (Mean For triglycerides, median % change from baseline. % Change from Untreated Baseline Baseline - on no lipid-lowering drug. ) Treatment (Daily Dose) N Total-C LDL-C Apo B HDL-C TG Non-HDL-C Pooled data (All VYTORIN doses) VYTORIN doses pooled (10/10-10/80) significantly reduced total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, TG, and non-HDL-C compared to simvastatin and significantly increased HDL-C compared to placebo. 609 -38 -53 -42 +7 -24 -49 Pooled data (All simvastatin doses) 622 -28 -39 -32 +7 -21 -36 Ezetimibe 10 mg 149 -13 -19 -15 +5 -11 -18 Placebo 148 -1 -2 0 0 -2 -2 VYTORIN by dose 10/10 152 -31 -45 -35 +8 -23 -41 10/20 156 -36 -52 -41 +10 -24 -47 10/40 147 -39 -55 -44 +6 -23 -51 10/80 154 -43 -60 -49 +6 -31 -56 Simvastatin by dose 10 mg 158 -23 -33 -26 +5 -17 -30 20 mg 150 -24 -34 -28 +7 -18 -32 40 mg 156 -29 -41 -33 +8 -21 -38 80 mg 158 -35 -49 -39 +7 -27 -45 In a multicenter, double-blind, controlled, 23-week trial, 710 patients with known CHD or CHD risk equivalents, as defined by the NCEP ATP III guidelines, and an LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL were randomized to one of four treatment groups: coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin equivalent to VYTORIN (10/10, 10/20, and 10/40) or simvastatin 20 mg. Patients not reaching an LDL-C <100 mg/dL had their simvastatin dose titrated at 6-week intervals to a maximal dose of 80 mg. At Week 5, the LDL-C reductions with VYTORIN 10/10, 10/20, or 10/40 were significantly larger than with simvastatin 20 mg (see Table 9 ). Table 9: Response to VYTORIN after 5 Weeks in Patients with CHD or CHD Risk Equivalents and an LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL Simvastatin 20 mg VYTORIN 10/10 VYTORIN 10/20 VYTORIN 10/40 N 253 251 109 97 Mean baseline LDL-C 174 165 167 171 Percent change LDL-C -38 -47 -53 -59 In a multicenter, double-blind, 6-week trial, 1902 patients with primary hyperlipidemia were randomized to one of eight treatment groups: VYTORIN (10/10, 10/20, 10/40, or 10/80) or atorvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg). Across the dosage range, when patients receiving VYTORIN were compared to those receiving milligram-equivalent statin doses of atorvastatin, VYTORIN lowered total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C significantly more than atorvastatin.
Only the 10/40 mg and 10/80 mg VYTORIN doses increased HDL-C significantly more than the corresponding milligram-equivalent statin dose of atorvastatin. The effects of VYTORIN on TG were similar to the effects seen with atorvastatin. (See Table 10.) Table 10: Response to VYTORIN and Atorvastatin in Patients with Primary Hyperlipidemia (Mean For triglycerides, median % change from baseline. % Change from Untreated Baseline Baseline - on no lipid-lowering drug. ) Treatment (Daily Dose) N Total-C VYTORIN doses pooled (10/10-10/80) provided significantly greater reductions in total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C compared to atorvastatin doses pooled (10-80). LDL-C Apo B HDL-C TG Non-HDL-C VYTORIN by dose 10/10 230 -34 p<0.05 for difference with atorvastatin at equal mg doses of the simvastatin component. -47 -37 +8 -26 -43 10/20 233 -37 -51 -40 +7 -25 -46 10/40 236 -41 -57 -46 +9 -27 -52 10/80 224 -43 -59 -48 +8 -31 -54 Atorvastatin by dose 10 mg 235 -27 -36 -31 +7 -21 -34 20 mg 230 -32 -44 -37 +5 -25 -41 40 mg 232 -36 -48 -40 +4 -24 -45 80 mg 230 -40 -53 -44 +1 -32 -50 In a multicenter, double-blind, 24-week, forced-titration trial, 788 patients with primary hyperlipidemia were randomized to receive coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin equivalent to VYTORIN (10/10 and 10/20) or atorvastatin 10 mg. For all three treatment groups, the dose of the statin was titrated at 6-week intervals to 80 mg.
At each pre-specified dose comparison, VYTORIN lowered LDL-C to a greater degree than atorvastatin (see Table 11 ). Table 11: Response to VYTORIN and Atorvastatin in Patients with Primary Hyperlipidemia (Mean For triglycerides, median % change from baseline. % Change from Untreated Baseline Baseline - on no lipid-lowering drug. ) Treatment N Total-C LDL-C Apo B HDL-C TG Non-HDL-C Week 6 Atorvastatin 10 mg Atorvastatin: 10 mg start dose titrated to 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg through Weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24. 262 -28 -37 -32 +5 -23 -35 VYTORIN 10/10 VYTORIN: 10/10 start dose titrated to 10/20, 10/40, and 10/80 through Weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24. 263 -34 p≤0.05 for difference with atorvastatin in the specified week. -46 -38 +8 -26 -43 VYTORIN 10/20 VYTORIN: 10/20 start dose titrated to 10/40, 10/40, and 10/80 through Weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24. 263 -36 -50 -41 +10 -25 -46 Week 12 Atorvastatin 20 mg 246 -33 -44 -38 +7 -28 -42 VYTORIN 10/20 250 -37 -50 -41 +9 -28 -46 VYTORIN 10/40 252 -39 -54 -45 +12 -31 -50 Week 18 Atorvastatin 40 mg 237 -37 -49 -42 +8 -31 -47 VYTORIN 10/40 Data pooled for common doses of VYTORIN at Weeks 18 and 24. 482 -40 -56 -45 +11 -32 -52 Week 24 Atorvastatin 80 mg 228 -40 -53 -45 +6 -35 -50 VYTORIN 10/80 459 -43 -59 -49 +12 -35 -55 In a multicenter, double-blind, 6-week trial, 2959 patients with primary hyperlipidemia, were randomized to one of six treatment groups: VYTORIN (10/20, 10/40, or 10/80) or rosuvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg). The effects of VYTORIN and rosuvastatin on total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, TG, non-HDL-C and HDL-C are shown in Table 12. Table 12: Response to VYTORIN and Rosuvastatin in Patients with Primary Hyperlipidemia (Mean For triglycerides, median % change from baseline. % Change from Untreated Baseline Baseline - on no lipid-lowering drug. ) Treatment (Daily Dose) N Total-C VYTORIN doses pooled (10/20-10/80) provided significantly greater reductions in total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C compared to rosuvastatin doses pooled (10-40 mg). LDL-C Apo B HDL-C TG Non-HDL-C VYTORIN by dose 10/20 476 -37 p<0.05 vs. rosuvastatin 10 mg. -52 -42 +7 -23 -47 10/40 477 -39 p<0.05 vs. rosuvastatin 20 mg. -55 -44 +8 -27 -50 10/80 474 -44 p<0.05 vs. rosuvastatin 40 mg. -61 -50 +8 -30 -56 Rosuvastatin by dose 10 mg 475 -32 -46 -37 +7 -20 -42 20 mg 478 -37 -52 -43 +8 -26 -48 40 mg 475 -41 -57 -47 +8 -28 -52 In a multicenter, double-blind, 24-week trial, 214 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) for a minimum of 3 months and simvastatin 20 mg for a minimum of 6 weeks were randomized to receive either simvastatin 40 mg or the coadministered active ingredients equivalent to VYTORIN 10/20. The median LDL-C and HbA1c levels at baseline were 89 mg/dL and 7.1%, respectively. VYTORIN 10/20 was significantly more effective than doubling the dose of simvastatin to 40 mg. The median percent changes from baseline for VYTORIN vs. simvastatin were: LDL-C -25% and -5%; total-C -16% and -5%; Apo B -19% and -5%; and non-HDL-C -23% and -5%. Results for HDL-C and TG between the two treatment groups were not significantly different.
Ezetimibe In two multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week trials in 1719 patients with primary hyperlipidemia, ezetimibe significantly lowered total-C (-13%), LDL-C (-19%), Apo B (-14%), and TG (-8%), and increased HDL-C (+3%) compared to placebo. Reduction in LDL-C was consistent across age, sex, and baseline LDL-C. Simvastatin In two large, placebo-controlled clinical trials, the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Trial (N=4,444 patients) and the Heart Protection Trial (N=20,536 patients), the effects of treatment with simvastatin were assessed in patients at high risk of coronary events because of existing coronary heart disease, diabetes, peripheral vessel disease, history of stroke or other cerebrovascular disease. Simvastatin was proven to reduce: the risk of total mortality by reducing CHD deaths; the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke; and the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures.
No incremental benefit of VYTORIN on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality over and above that demonstrated for simvastatin has been established. Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in Pediatric Patients The effects of ezetimibe coadministered with simvastatin (n=126) compared to simvastatin monotherapy (n=122) have been evaluated in males and females with HeFH. In a multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial followed by an open-label phase, 142 males and 106 postmenarchal females, 10 to 17 years of age (mean age 14.2 years, 43% females, 82% White, 4% Asian, 2% Black or African American, 13% multi- racial; 14% identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity) with HeFH were randomized to receive either ezetimibe coadministered with simvastatin or simvastatin monotherapy. Inclusion in the trial required 1) a baseline LDL-C level between 160 and 400 mg/dL and 2) a medical history and clinical presentation consistent with HeFH. The mean baseline LDL-C value was 225 mg/dL (range: 161 to 351 mg/dL) in the ezetimibe coadministered with simvastatin group compared to 219 mg/dL (range: 149 to 336 mg/dL) in the simvastatin monotherapy group.
The patients received coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg) or simvastatin monotherapy (10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg) for 6 weeks, coadministered ezetimibe and 40- mg simvastatin or 40-mg simvastatin monotherapy for the next 27 weeks, and open-label coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg) for 20 weeks thereafter. The results of the trial at Week 6 are summarized in Table 13. Results at Week 33 were consistent with those at Week 6. Table 13: Mean Percent Difference at Week 6 Between the Pooled ZETIA Coadministered with Simvastatin Group and the Pooled Simvastatin Monotherapy Group in Adolescent Patients with HeFH Total-C LDL-C Apo B Non-HDL-C Mean percent difference between treatment groups -12% -15% -12% -14% 95% Confidence Interval (-15%,-9%) (-18%,-12%) (-15%,-9%) (-17%,-11%) Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in Adults A double-blind, randomized, 12-week trial was performed in patients with a clinical and/or genotypic diagnosis of HoFH. Data were analyzed from a subgroup of patients (n=14) receiving simvastatin 40 mg at baseline. Increasing the dose of simvastatin from 40 to 80 mg (n=5) produced a reduction of LDL-C of 13% from baseline on simvastatin 40 mg.
Coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin equivalent to VYTORIN (10/40 and 10/80 pooled, n=9), produced a reduction of LDL-C of 23% from baseline on simvastatin 40 mg. In those patients coadministered ezetimibe and simvastatin equivalent to VYTORIN (10/80, n=5), a reduction of LDL-C of 29% from baseline on simvastatin 40 mg was produced. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Adults The Trial of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP) was a multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial that investigated the effect of VYTORIN on the time to a first major vascular event (MVE) among 9438 patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (approximately one-third on dialysis at baseline) who did not have a history of myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization.
An MVE was defined as nonfatal MI, cardiac death, stroke, or any revascularization procedure. Patients were allocated to treatment using a method that took into account the distribution of 8 important baseline characteristics of patients already enrolled and minimized the imbalance of those characteristics across the groups. For the first year, 9438 patients were allocated 4:4:1, to VYTORIN 10/20, placebo, or simvastatin 20 mg daily, respectively.
The 1-year simvastatin arm enabled the comparison of VYTORIN to simvastatin with regard to safety and effect on lipid levels. At 1 year the simvastatin-only arm was re-allocated 1:1 to VYTORIN 10/20 or placebo. A total of 9270 patients were ever allocated to VYTORIN 10/20 (n=4650) or placebo (n=4620) during the trial.
The median follow-up duration was 4.9 years. Patients had a mean age of 61 years; 63% were male, 72% were White, and 23% were diabetic; and, for those not on dialysis at baseline, the median serum creatinine was 2.5 mg/dL and the median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 25.6 mL/min/1.73 m 2, with 94% of patients having an eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73m 2. Eligibility did not depend on lipid levels. Mean LDL-C at baseline was 108 mg/dL. At 1 year, the mean LDL-C was 26% lower in the simvastatin arm and 38% lower in the VYTORIN arm relative to placebo.
At the midpoint of the trial (2.5 years), the mean LDL-C was 32% lower for VYTORIN relative to placebo. Patients no longer taking trial medication were included in all lipid measurements. In the primary intent-to-treat analysis, 639 (15.2%) of 4193 patients initially allocated to VYTORIN and 749 (17.9%) of 4191 patients initially allocated to placebo experienced an MVE. This corresponded to a relative risk reduction of 16% (p=0.001) (see Figure 1 ). Similarly, 526 (11.3%) of 4650 patients ever allocated to VYTORIN and 619 (13.4%) of 4620 patients ever allocated to placebo experienced a major atherosclerotic event (MAE; a subset of the MVE composite that excluded non-coronary cardiac deaths and hemorrhagic stroke), corresponding to a relative risk reduction of 17% (p=0.002). The trial demonstrated that treatment with VYTORIN 10/20 mg versus placebo reduced the risk for MVE and MAE in this CKD population.
The trial design precluded drawing conclusions regarding the independent contribution of either ezetimibe or simvastatin to the observed effect. The treatment effect of VYTORIN on MVE was attenuated among patients on dialysis at baseline compared with those not on dialysis at baseline. Among 3023 patients on dialysis at baseline, VYTORIN reduced the risk of MVE by 6% (RR 0.94: 95% CI 0.80-1.09) compared with 22% (RR 0.78: 95% CI 0.69-0.89) among 6247 patients not on dialysis at baseline (interaction P=0.08). Figure 1: Effect of VYTORIN on the Primary Endpoint of Risk of Major Vascular Events The individual components of MVE in all patients ever allocated to VYTORIN or placebo are presented in Table 14. Table 14: Number of First Events for Each Component of the Major Vascular Event Composite Endpoint in SHARP Intention-to-treat analysis on all SHARP patients ever allocated to VYTORIN or placebo.
Outcome VYTORIN 10/20 (N=4650) Placebo (N=4620) Risk Ratio (95% CI) P-value Major Vascular Events 701 (15.1%) 814 (17.6%) 0.85 (0.77-0.94) 0.001 Nonfatal MI 134 (2.9%) 159 (3.4%) 0.84 (0.66-1.05) 0.12 Cardiac Death 253 (5.4%) 272 (5.9%) 0.93 (0.78-1.10) 0.38 Any Stroke 171 (3.7%) 210 (4.5%) 0.81 (0.66-0.99) 0.038 Non-hemorrhagic Stroke 131 (2.8%) 174 (3.8%) 0.75 (0.60-0.94) 0.011 Hemorrhagic Stroke 45 (1.0%) 37 (0.8%) 1.21 (0.78-1.86) 0.40 Any Revascularization 284 (6.1%) 352 (7.6%) 0.79 (0.68-0.93) 0.004 Among patients not on dialysis at baseline, VYTORIN did not reduce the risk of progressing to end-stage renal disease compared with placebo (RR 0.97: 95% CI 0.89-1.05). Simvastatin Cardiovascular Outcome Trials in Adults at High Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Events In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centered trial, the effect of therapy with simvastatin on total mortality was assessed in 4,444 adult patients with CHD (history of angina and/or a previous myocardial infarction) and baseline total cholesterol (total-C) between 212 and 309 mg/dL who were on a lipid-lowering diet. In Trial 4S, patients were treated with standard care, including lipid-lowering diet, and randomized to either simvastatin 20-40 mg/day (n=2,221) or placebo (n=2,223) for a median duration of 5.4 years. Simvastatin significantly reduced the risk of mortality by 30% (p=0.0003, 182 deaths in the simvastatin group vs 256 deaths in the placebo group). The risk of CHD mortality was significantly reduced by 42% (p=0.00001, 111 deaths in the simvastatin group vs 189 deaths in the placebo group). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in non-cardiovascular mortality.
Simvastatin significantly reduced the risk for the secondary composite endpoint (time to first occurrence of CHD death, definite or probable hospital verified non-fatal MI, silent MI verified by ECG, or resuscitated cardiac arrest) by 34% (p<0.00001, 431 vs 622 patients with one or more events). Simvastatin reduced the risk of major coronary events to a similar extent across the range of baseline total and LDL cholesterol levels. The risk of having a hospital-verified non-fatal MI was reduced by 37%. Simvastatin significantly reduced the risk for undergoing myocardial revascularization procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) by 37% (p<0.00001, 252 vs 383 patients). Simvastatin significantly reduced the risk of fatal plus non-fatal cerebrovascular events (combined stroke and transient ischemic attacks) by 28% (p=0.033, 75 vs 102 patients). Over the course of the trial, treatment with simvastatin led to mean reductions in total-C, LDL-C and triglycerides (TG) of 25%, 35%, and 10%, respectively, and a mean increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of 8%. In contrast, treatment with placebo led to increases in total- C, LDL-C and TG of 1%, 1%, and 7%, respectively. Because there were only 53 female deaths (approximately 18% of the trial population was female), the effect of simvastatin on mortality in females could not be adequately assessed.
However, simvastatin significantly reduced the risk of having major coronary events in females by 34% (60 vs 91 women with one or more event). Simvastatin resulted in similar decreases in relative risk for total mortality, CHD mortality, and major coronary events in geriatric patients (≥65 years) compared with younger adults. The Heart Protection Trial (Trial HPS) was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi- centered trial with a mean duration of 5 years conducted in 10,269 patients on simvastatin 40 mg and 10,267 on placebo. Patients had a mean age of 64 years (range 40-80 years old), 97% were White, and were at high risk of developing a major coronary event because of existing CHD (65%), diabetes (Type 2, 26%; Type 1, 3%), history of stroke or other cerebrovascular disease (16%), peripheral vascular disease (33%), or they were males ≥65 years with hypertension in (6%). At baseline: 3,421 patients (17%) had LDL-C levels below 100 mg/dL, including 953 (5%) below 80 mg/dL; and 10,047 patients (49%) had levels greater than 130 mg/dL. Patients were randomized to simvastatin or placebo using a covariate adaptive method which considered the distribution of 10 important baseline characteristics of patients already enrolled.
The Trial HPS results showed that simvastatin 40 mg/day significantly reduced: total and CHD mortality; and non-fatal MI, stroke, and revascularization procedures (coronary and non-coronary) (see Table 15 ). Table 15: CHD Mortality and Cardiovascular Events in Adult Patients with High Risk of Developing a Major Coronary Event in Trial HPS Endpoint Simvastatin (N=10,269) n (%) n = number of patients with indicated event Placebo (N=10,267) n (%) Risk Reduction (%) (95% CI) p-Value Primary Mortality 1,328 (12.9%) 1,507 (14.7%) 13% (6-19%) p=0.0003 CHD mortality 587 (5.7%) 707 (6.9%) 18% (8-26%) p=0.0005 Secondary Non-fatal MI 357 (3.5%) 574 (5.6%) 38% (30-46%) p<0.0001 Stroke 444 (4.3%) 585 (5.7%) 25% (15-34%) p<0.0001 Tertiary Coronary revascularization 513 (5%) 725 (7.1%) 30% (22-38%) p<0.0001 Peripheral and other non-coronary revascularization 450 (4.4%) 532 (5.2%) 16% (5-26%) p=0.006 Two composite endpoints were defined to have enough events to assess relative risk reductions across a range of baseline characteristics: Major coronary events (MCE) was comprised of CHD mortality and non-fatal MI. Analyzed by time-to-first event; 898 patients (8.7%) treated with simvastatin had events and 1,212 patients (11.8%) treated with placebo had events. Major vascular events (MVE) was comprised of MCE, stroke, and revascularization procedures including coronary, peripheral and other non-coronary procedures. Analyzed by time-to-first event; 2,033 patients (19.8%) treated with simvastatin had events and 2,585 patients (25.2%) on placebo had events.
Simvastatin use led to significant relative risk reductions for both composite endpoints (27% for MCE and 24% for MVE, p<0.0001) and for all components of the composite endpoints. The risk reductions produced by simvastatin in both MCE and MVE were evident and consistent regardless of cardiovascular disease related medical history at trial entry (i.e., CHD alone; or peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes or treated hypertension, with or without CHD), gender, age, baseline levels of LDL-C, baseline concomitant cardiovascular medications (i.e., aspirin, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers), smoking status, or obesity. Patients with diabetes showed risk reductions for MCE and MVE due to simvastatin treatment regardless of baseline HbA1c levels or obesity.
Figure 1
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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