Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Niaspan vs. Vytorin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Niacin ER (Niaspan) and Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) are both medications used to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, they belong to different medication classes. Niacin is an antilipemic and a form of vitamin B3, while Vytorin combines a cholesterol absorption inhibitor (ezetimibe) with a statin (simvastatin). Niacin is available both over-the-counter and by prescription, whereas Vytorin is available only by prescription. Niacin is taken once daily as an extended-release form or multiple times daily as an immediate-release form, while Vytorin is taken once daily in the evening. Common side effects of niacin include flushing and stomach upset, while Vytorin can cause headaches and muscle pain. Both medications can lead to serious side effects like liver damage and muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), but Vytorin has more interactions, including with grapefruit. Both medications are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

  • Niacin er
    Vytorin (ezetimibe / simvastatin)
  • Niacin er
    Vytorin (ezetimibe / simvastatin)

  • Summary of Niaspan vs. Vytorin

    Summary for Antilipemic

    Niacin ER (also known as vitamin B3) is a prescription antilipemic medication for adults. It's used to lower high cholesterol and triglycerides (a common form of fat) levels, but it's not a first-choice option for this condition. Niacin ER is taken by mouth once daily, while niacin (Niacor) is typically taken three times daily. Some side effects of niacin ER include flushing and stomach upset. Please note that niacin is also available over-the-counter to treat vitamin B3 deficiency.

    Summary for Cholesterol absorption inhibitor / Statin
    Prescription only

    Vytorin (ezetimibe / simvastatin) is a combination of two different medications that work together to lower cholesterol in different ways. It lowers "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while raising "good" cholesterol levels. In doing so, Vytorin (ezetimibe / simvastatin) helps prevent severe and life-threatening medical problems, like heart attack or stroke. But, you should take it in addition to eating a healthy diet and having a regular exercise routine to get the most benefit from the medication.

  • Indications of Niaspan vs. Vytorin

    Indications for
    •High cholesterol and high triglycerides
    •Lower risk of repeat heart attack in people with a history of heart attack and high cholesterol
    •Slow plaque buildup in the arteries of people with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and high cholesterol (as an add-on medication)
    •Severely high triglycerides in people who are at risk of pancreatitis (as an add-on medication)
    Indications for
    •High cholesterol
    •Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)

  • Pros and Cons of Niaspan vs. Vytorin

    Pros and Const for Antilipemic
    Pros
    •Can lower “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and raise “good” (HDL) cholesterol in people who have trouble doing so with diet and exercise alone
    •Can also lower triglycerides
    •An option for people who didn’t have success or had side effects with statins
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Doesn’t work as well as statin medications in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides
    •Can cause flushing, a bothersome side effect
    •Need to take immediate-release form multiple times a day
    •Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
    Pros and Const for Cholesterol absorption inhibitor / Statin
    Pros
    •More convenient to take a single pill containing two medications that work in different ways
    •Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL)
    •Taken once daily
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic form
    Cons
    •More difficult to customize the dose since it's a fixed combination of two medications
    •Can cause rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening muscle problem that's a medical emergency
    •Works better to if taken at night
    •Not safe for people who are pregnant or nursing

  • Common Side Effects of Niaspan vs. Vytorin

    Common Side Effects for

    Extended-release tablets:

    •Flushing (up to 69%)
    •Diarrhea (up to 14%)
    •Nausea (up to 11%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (6%)
    •Muscle pain (4%)
    •Runny nose, cough, and other symptoms of the common cold (4%)
    •Diarrhea (3%)

  • Warnings of Niaspan vs. Vytorin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney and heart damage (rhabdomyolysis)
    •Liver damage
    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe muscle pain and damage
    •Risk of liver problems
    •Risk of high blood sugar

  • Prices with our coupons for Niaspan vs. Vytorin

    Learn more about Niacin er
    Learn more about Vytorin

Compare other High Cholesterol drugs

Lipitor vs NiaspanLovastatin vs NiaspanNiaspan vs AntaraNiaspan vs AtorvastatinNiaspan vs CrestorNiaspan vs LopidNiaspan vs Omega 3 AcidNiaspan vs TrilipixNiaspan vs VytorinSimvastatin vs NiaspanZetia vs NiaspanLipitor vs MevacorLipitor vs PravacholLipitor vs ZetiaLopid vs LipitorLopid vs LovazaLopid vs TricorLopid vs ZocorOmega 3 Acid vs LopidPravastatin vs LopidRosuvastatin vs SimvastatinSimvastatin vs AntaraSimvastatin vs AtorvastatinSimvastatin vs LivaloTrilipix vs LopidVytorin vs LopidZetia vs AntaraZetia vs AtorvastatinZetia vs CrestorZetia vs Vytorin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.