Two low doses of Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) have been listed on the PBS at the start of this month, aimed at helping patients with statin intolerance.
The new listings allow the use of Vytorin 10/10mg and 10/20mg for patients with high cholesterol where treatment with a statin must be reduced to a dose of 20mg or less due to adverse events or for patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Associate Professor David Sullivan from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney said some patients who needed statin therapy were forced to discontinue it because of symptoms of intolerance.
"Everything we can do to maximise compliance is important and this combination therapy has a lot to offer," Prof Sullivan said.
"The reduction in cost to the patient and the greater convenience of one rather than two tablets are considerable benefits."
Vytorin contains ezetimibe and simvastatin, two lipid-lowering compounds with complementary mechanisms of action.
According to maker Merck Sharp & Dohme, patients taking Vytorin 10/10mg and 10/20mg achieved an average LDL cholesterol reduction of 46 per cent and 51 per cent respectively in clinical trials.