Texas Vytorin Lawyer

Recent evidence suggests that Vytorin may be responsible for severe, life-threatening side effects. Patients who implement a strict Vytorin regimen may be at a greater risk of developing severe muscle damage, a complication that may lead to myopathy, rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

Vytorin Overview

As the product of a Merck & Co. subsidiary, Vytorin has boasted the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since July 23, 2004. Vytorin has assisted in the regulation of cholesterol levels for over seven years. However, it is just one, out of a number of drugs, that utilizes simvastatin as an active ingredient in the fight against cholesterol. However, due to the dangerous side effects associated with simvastatin, patients may file a potential lawsuit with a Vytorin lawyer at The Clark Firm.

Vytorin is a duel formulation medicine that is comprised of two unique ingredients. The first of which is ezetimibe, an ingredient that may drastically inhibit the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed into the bloodstream. The second active ingredient, otherwise known as simvastatin, resides in a group of medications known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). As a statin, Vytorin reduces levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Cholesterol medications that utilize simvastatin fail to demonstrate a favorable risk-benefit profile. While Vytorin has proven that it may significantly lower cholesterol levels, the inherent risks associated with it are too great. Patients who use Vytorin may increase their risk of developing severe muscle damage, a complication that may lead to myopathy, rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Due to the severity of these complications, patients may seek compensation for their pain and suffering by filing a Vytorin lawsuit.

Side Effects of Vytorin

The following is a list of Vytorin side effects that are currently under critical evaluation:

• Rhabdomyolysis
• Muscle damage, pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Myopathy
• Kidney failure
• Dark red urine
• Lack of energy
• Fever
• Flushing
• Blisters
• Rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Joint pain

Due to the severity of these side effects, patients may file a potential lawsuit with a Vytorin lawyer at The Clark Firm.

FDA Vytorin Warning

The following FDA Consumer Update acknowledges the dangers of taking cholesterol medications like Vytorin:

All statins, despite their proven benefit in lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes, carry an increased risk of myopathy, a complication characterized by unexplained muscle weakness or pain. However, the risk is greater for patients who take 80 mg doses of simvastatin, in the first year of treatment.

The FDA has revised the drug labels for simvastatin and Vytorin to include new restrictions for the 80 mg dose. The labels of simvastatin, Vytorin and Simcor have all been changed to include dosing recommendations when these drugs are used with medicines that can increase the level of simvastatin in the body, thus increasing the risk of myopathy. But myopathy can be debilitating. Moreover, a rare form of myopathy, called rhabdomyolysis, can lead to kidney failure and death.

Vytorin rhabdomyolysis is characterized by the breakdown of muscle fibers that releases myoglobin into the bloodstream. Accordingly, dead muscle fibers can induce large amounts of fluid to transfer from the blood into the muscles. If this happens, the fluid volume of the body may be significantly reduced, leading to shock and low blood flow to the kidneys. An event such as this can prove to be catastrophic to a kidney. Renal failure, or kidney failure as it is known, occurs when the kidney is unable to remove excess and harmful myoglobin compounds. As a result, the kidney fails to operate properly and poses a potentially fatal threat to the patient. Do to the severity of rhabdomyolysis, many patients may seek compensation for their pain and suffering by filing a Vytorin lawsuit.