Key takeaways
Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) are both medications used to lower cholesterol, but they work in different ways and have some key differences. Vytorin is a combination of two medications: ezetimibe, which blocks cholesterol absorption, and simvastatin, a statin that reduces cholesterol production in the liver. Rosuvastatin, on the other hand, is a single statin that also lowers cholesterol by blocking its production in the liver. Vytorin is typically taken in the evening, while rosuvastatin can be taken at any time of the day. Rosuvastatin and Vytorin are available in both generic and brand-name forms. Both medications can cause muscle pain and liver problems, but rosuvastatin is considered a moderate-to-high-intensity statin, while simvastatin in Vytorin is a low-to-medium intensity statin. Neither medication is safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
