Inegy (ezetimibe, simvastatin) is a widely-used combination medication that helps patients lower high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It can be used in patients ages 10 and up.

Inegy is the European name for a product known as Vytorin in the USA. The two medications are otherwise identical in every respect.

Product Description

Inegy comes in tablets, each of which contains two medications, both of which help lower cholesterol:

• Ezetimibe inhibits the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine, which decreases the amount of cholesterol delivered to the liver.
• Simvastatin is a statin, which works by inhibiting the body's ability to make its own cholesterol.

Some studies suggest the two medications are a little more potent when taken together, though this is somewhat disputable. More clear is the convenience offered; a single tablet rather than two separate tablets.

For those who do wish to buy the products separately, ezetimibe is sold as the well-known Zetia and simvastatin as the even more well-known Zocor.

Who Should Take Inegy

In many cases, Inegy is recommended for patients who have made lifestyle changes but those changes have proved insufficient to control cholesterol levels. Dietary changes should still be maintained even with Inegy, however; they will make a difference, even if that difference isn't enough.

Other patients might be started on a single medication at first, such as Zetia or Zocor, then advised to start taking Inegy if the single medication does not produce sufficient results. Others may be started on Inegy, if a doctor determines it's likely that multiple medications will be needed.

Still others might be taking both ezetimibe and simvastatin, and want to combine the two into a single tablet.

While there is no doubt that cholesterol is vital for a healthy human body, patients are at increased risk of severe complications when levels become imbalanced or accumulate in in blood vessels. High cholesterol itself does not typically cause symptoms until the condition is very severe and patients are high risk of heart attack, stroke, or other severe medical events. It is important to treat high cholesterol prior to such an event, and important that Inegy continue to be taken even if not experiencing any symptoms.

Treatment Guidelines

Inegy is available in several strengths. Dosage depends on a number of factors, including other medications being taken, other medical conditions present, and other individual variables like age and weight.

In otherwise healthy adults:

• Patients are typically started on 10/10 or 10/20 mg ezetimibe/simvastatin per day.
• After two weeks, dosage may be increased, if needed, to 10/40 mg ezetimibe/simvastatin per day.
• Patients who need a large reduction of cholesterol may be started on 10/40 mg per day.

Tablets are taken once per day, usually in the evening. Taking with food is optional. Full effects can be seen around two weeks after starting treatment or following dosage adjustments.

Rarely some patients are instructed to take Inegy in 10/80 mg doses. This is relatively unusual due to the increased risk of side effects. Patients should never start on this dosage. If taking 10/80 mg doses, patients should be monitored by a doctor for the first year of treatment.

Potential Complications

Inegy is not the ideal treatment for everyone. Those at increased risk of side effects include patients who have a history of:

• Liver or kidney disease
• Low blood pressure
• Thyroid disorder
• Seizures
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Alcoholism

Patients who are over 65 years of age also call for special treatment, as do those of Chinese descent.

Inegy can interact with a wide range of other medications, some of which cannot be taken at the same time. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing treatments. Of particular concern are:

• Antibiotics
• Antifungals
• Hepatitis C medications
• HIV/AIDS medications

Most patients experience only mild side effects which are not cause for concern, including headache, diarrhea, and cold-like symptoms. More rarely, serious side effects may occur which warrant medical attention:

• Jaundice
• Dark urine or clay-colored stools
• Severe nausea
• Severe fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in upper stomach, side, or lower back
• Little to no urination
• Rapid, unexplained weight gain

Inegy is known to cause serious birth defects and should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.