FDA: Drug Combo Can Damage Muscles

U.S. officials are warning about a serious side effect from two drugs taken together. The drugs are used to lower cholesterol and control heart rhythm. Some people taking both have had severe muscle damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the drugs August 8. The cholesterol drugs involved are simvastatin (Zocor) and Vytorin. They are from a group called statins. The heart rhythm drug is amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone). All statin drugs can lead to muscle damage. However, usually the risk is low. The FDA says doctors could switch people who take the risky combination to another statin. The Associated Press wrote about the warning August 8.