Zettrol Special Precautions

When Ezetimibe is co-administered with a statin, refer to the SPC for that particular medicinal product.
Liver Enzymes: In controlled co-administration trials in patients receiving Ezetimibe with a statin, consecutive transaminase elevations (≥3X the upper limit of normal [ULN]) have been observed. When Ezetimibe is co-administered with a statin, liver function tests should be performed at initiation of therapy and according to the recommendations of the statin (see Adverse Reactions).
In the IMProved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial (IMPROVE-IT), 18,144 patients with coronary heart disease and ACS event history were randomised to receive Ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/40 mg daily (n=9067) or simvastatin 40 mg daily (n=9077). During a median follow-up of 6.0 years, the incidence of consecutive elevations of transaminases (≥3 X ULN) was 2.5% for Ezetimibe/simvastatin and 2.3% for simvastatin (see Adverse Reactions).
In a controlled clinical study in which over 9000 patients with chronic kidney disease were randomised to receive Ezetimibe 10 mg combined with simvastatin 20 mg daily (n=4650) or placebo (n=4620) (median follow-up period of 4.9 years), the incidence of consecutive elevations of transaminases (>3 X ULN) was 0.7% for Ezetimibe combined with simvastatin and 0.6% for placebo (see Adverse Reactions).
Skeletal Muscle: In post-marketing experience with Ezetimibe, cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported. Most patients who developed rhabdomyolysis were taking a statin concomitantly with Ezetimibe. However, rhabdomyolysis has been reported very rarely with Ezetimibe monotherapy and very rarely with the addition of Ezetimibe to other agents known to be associated with increased risk of rhabdomyolysis. If myopathy is suspected based on muscle symptoms or is confirmed by a creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level >10 times the ULN, Ezetimibe, any statin, and any of these other agents that the patient is taking concomitantly should be immediately discontinued. All patients starting therapy with Ezetimibe should be advised of the risk of myopathy and told to report promptly any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness (see Adverse Reactions).
In IMPROVE-IT, 18,144 patients with coronary heart disease and ACS event history were randomised to receive Ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/40 mg daily (n=9067) or simvastatin 40 mg daily (n=9077). During a median follow-up of 6.0 years, the incidence of myopathy was 0.2% for Ezetimibe/simvastatin and 0.1% for simvastatin, where myopathy was defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with a serum CK ≥10 times ULN or two consecutive observations of CK ≥5 and <10 times ULN. The incidence of rhabdomyolysis was 0.1% for Ezetimibe/simvastatin and 0.2% for simvastatin, where rhabdomyolysis was defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with a serum CK ≥10 times ULN with evidence of renal injury, ≥5 times ULN and <10 times ULN on two consecutive occasions with evidence of renal injury or CK ≥10,000 IU/L without evidence of renal injury. (See Adverse Reactions.)
In a clinical trial in which over 9000 patients with chronic kidney disease were randomised to receive Ezetimibe 10 mg combined with simvastatin 20 mg daily (n=4650) or placebo (n=4620) (median follow-up 4.9 years), the incidence of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis was 0.2% for Ezetimibe combined with simvastatin and 0.1% for placebo (see Adverse Reactions).
Hepatic impairment: Due to the unknown effects of the increased exposure to Ezetimibe in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment, Ezetimibe is not recommended (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Fibrates: The safety and efficacy of Ezetimibe administered with fibrates have not been established. If cholelithiasis is suspected in a patient receiving Ezetimibe and fenofibrate, gallbladder investigations are indicated and this therapy should be discontinued (see Interactions and Adverse Reactions).
Ciclosporin: Caution should be exercised when initiating Ezetimibe in the setting of ciclosporin. Ciclosporin concentrations should be monitored in patients receiving Ezetimibe and ciclosporin (see Interactions).
Anticoagulants: If Ezetimibe is added to warfarin, another coumarin anticoagulant, or fluindione, the International Normalised Ratio (INR) should be appropriately monitored (see Interactions).
Excipient: Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
Ezetrol contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per tablet, that is to say essentially sodium-free.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, when driving vehicles or operating machines, it should be taken into account that dizziness has been reported.
Use in Children: Efficacy and safety of Ezetimibe in patients 6 to 10 years of age with heterozygous familial or nonfamilial hypercholesterolemia have been evaluated in a 12-week Placebo-controlled clinical trial. Effects of Ezetimibe for treatment periods >12 weeks have not been studied in this age group (see Dosage & Administration, Adverse Reactions, Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Ezetimibe has not been studied in patients younger than 6 years of age (see Dosage & Administration and Adverse Reactions).
Efficacy and safety of Ezetimibe coadministered with simvastatin in patients 10 to 17 years of age with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia have been evaluated in a controlled clinical trial in adolescent boys (Tanner stage II or above) and in girls who were at least one year post-menarche.
In this limited controlled study, there was generally no detectable effect on growth or sexual maturation in the adolescent boys or girls, or any effect on menstrual cycle length in girls. However, the effects of Ezetimibe for a treatment period >33 weeks on growth and sexual maturation have not been studied (see Dosage & Administration and Adverse Reactions).
The safety and efficacy of Ezetimibe co-administered with doses of simvastatin above 40 mg daily have not been studied in paediatric patients 10 to 17 years of age.
The safety and efficacy of Ezetimibe co-administered with simvastatin have not been studied in paediatric patients <10 years of age (see Dosage & Administration and Adverse Reactions).
The long-term efficacy of therapy with Ezetimibe in patients below 17 years of age to reduce morbidity and mortality in adulthood has not been studied.