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Can ezetimibe be taken with statin drugs like atorvastatin?

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 6, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Yes, ezetimibe can be taken with statin drugs.

Ezetimibe and statin drugs are both used to reduce high cholesterol levels.
They lower cholesterol in different ways:

  • Ezetimibe blocks cholesterol being absorbed from the small intestine
  • Statins reduce the amount of cholesterol and lipoproteins that our bodies produce, by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase). Statins also act to increase the number of LDL receptors on liver cells which means more LDL-cholesterol is absorbed out of the bloodstream and broken down.

Ezetimibe and statin drugs are often prescribed together as they have a complementary effect due to the fact that they reduce blood cholesterol levels different ways.

Statin drugs include: simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin?

References

Read next

Memory loss is not a side effect of Zetia (ezetimibe) when it is used alone to treat high cholesterol. Zetia is often used with diet and other cholesterol lowering medications like statins which have been linked with cognitive impairment (memory loss, forgetfulness, or confusion). Continue reading

Yes, Zetia (ezetimibe) can cause liver damage, although it is very rare. Monitor liver enzymes for the development of serious toxic hepatitis and consider ezetimibe discontinuation if it develops. Perform liver tests during ezetimibe initiation and regularly thereafter and consider withdrawal of ezetimibe and/or the statin (if coadministered) should an increase in ALT or AST ≥3 X upper limit of normal (ULN) persist. Continue reading

It reduces cholesterol absorption from the small intestine so there is less cholesterol delivered to the liver. This means there is a lower amount of cholesterol stored in the liver, which leads to more cholesterol being cleared from the blood. Continue reading

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