Vytorin side effects? - High Cholesterol Message Board

Cher2005 · 08-27-2006, 12:47 PM

I have been on Vytorin for a little over a year. I have noticed that with vytorin (10/40) my blood pressure tends to rise (systolic).
Now I find my kidney finction numbers are high and indicate a severe problem with protein spilling and a high bun rate. I also have anemia, all signs of kidney impairment. I ahave an appointment with a renal specialist next week but after reading about vytorin, I think it may be to blame. I am also a diabetic but have that under control very well with just glucotrol once a day.
I wonder if the vytorin is causing me to loss muscle and it is spilling into my urine as protein? Sounds reasonable because I looked up my numbers before taking vytorin and I was normal.
Has anyone else had these problems? I had bypass surgery and have familiar high cholesterol. It is outrageously high without statins. I guess the pnly way to find out would be to quit the vytorin for a month and see the results? I wonder what else I could take? This is a toughie.
Thanks for any input.

Dave-K · 08-27-2006, 04:51 PM

Hi Cher,
I have been taking Vytorin for about a year (?) now. I was taking 10/20mg when I lived in NY then my doctor switched me to another statin that did absolutely nothing for me. When I moved to Indiana, I told my new doctor that I wanted to take Vytorin and he put me on 10/40mg. My last two blood tests my liver enzymes came out fine, the only thing I noticed I was a bit more gasious :-)

One the other hand, I took Lipitor which worked excellent and was well tolerated but it was the only Statin that has raised my liver enzymes.

I don't fit your scenario but wanted to share my experience with Vytorin.

Dave

Lenin · 08-29-2006, 05:49 AM

Cher,

It is POSSIBLE that you have developed rhabdomyolysis which is the destruction of so much muscle that the kidneys are flooded with wastes and damaged. You would definitely see a characteristic brown urine and be in EXTREME pain.
Mor likely is that the diabetes is damaging your kidneys and causing protein leakage.
Let the nephrologist make the call, but I am almost certain it will be the diabetes.

Perhaps there is some renal artery blockage akin to your heart problems?

And of course ANY problem with the kidneys is apt to cause high blood pressure becasue the kidneys are the controllers of the body's salt and water.

I really think the odds are against the Vytorin having anything to do with it.

Cher2005 · 08-29-2006, 07:58 PM

Lenin I'm afraid to think there might be blockage to the kidney artery but it could be unfortunately. I suppose they will do an ultras
I will find out more on thursday when I see the renal specialist.

So far my urine is yellow, but not dark or brown. There is blood in urine though, a fair amount at plus 2. But I cannot see the blood in my urine. I also am anemic.
But I had read that the vytorin is contraindicated if there are kidney probkems.
I was thinking along the lines that the vytorin was breaking down muscle mass and spilling a lot of protein which is a high component of muscle tisssue. My kidney function numbers were fine before I started on Vytorin and when my glucose was very high. It is almost textbook perfect now w But my kidneys are now bad? It doesn't make sense.ith an a1c of 5.2.

NHone · 08-29-2006, 08:29 PM

It is the vytorin.