Ezetimibe
Pronunciation: ez-ET-i-mibe
Generic name: ezetimibe
Brand name: Zetia
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg)
Drug class: Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
What is ezetimibe?
Ezetimibe is a medicine used to lower cholesterol in people who have high blood cholesterol. Ezetimibe works by reducing the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from your intestines. High cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to form in your blood vessels which increases your risk of heart disease.
Ezetimibe is used in patients who cannot control their cholesterol levels by diet and exercise alone.
You can take ezetimibe as a single ingredient tablet or it is also available in a tablet that contains both ezetimibe and another cholesterol lowering medication called simvastatin.
Warnings
Ezetimibe is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Some cholesterol medications should not be taken at the same time. If you take ezetimibe with another cholesterol medicine, follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
You should not use ezetimibe if you have moderate to severe liver disease. You should not use this medicine with a "statin" cholesterol medicine if you have active liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.
Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use ezetimibe if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
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moderate to severe liver disease.
Ezetimibe is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old.
You should not use ezetimibe with a "statin" cholesterol medicine (Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor, and others) if:
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you have active liver disease;
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you are pregnant; or
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you are breastfeeding a baby.
Statin cholesterol medications can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. This happens more often in women, in older adults, or people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver disease;
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kidney disease; or
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unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using ezetimibe with a statin medicine. Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.
Do not breastfeed if you take ezetimibe with a statin medicine.
Related/similar drugs
Nexlizet, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, Lipitor, Crestor, pravastatin
How should I take ezetimibe?
Take ezetimibe exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Ezetimibe is usually taken once daily at the same time each day.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Ezetimibe may be taken at the same time with fenofibrate, or with a statin medication such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, or fluvastatin.
Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and blood tests.
You may need frequent medical tests, even if you have no symptoms.
Your cholesterol levels may not improve for up to 2 weeks.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipidemia:
10 mg orally once a day.
Usual Adult Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:
10 mg orally once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Sitosterolemia:
10 mg orally once a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hyperlipidemia:
10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:
10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Sitosterolemia:
10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking ezetimibe?
Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or this medicine will not be as effective.
Ezetimibe side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to ezetimibe: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Ezetimibe can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.
Side effects may be more likely in older adults.
Common ezetimibe side effects may include:
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cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
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pain in an arm or leg;
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joint pain; or
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muscle pain while taking ezetimibe with a statin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect ezetimibe?
If you also take other cholesterol medication: Take ezetimibe 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking cholestyramine, colestipol, or colesevelam.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
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gemfibrozil; or
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with ezetimibe, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Popular FAQ
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
More FAQ
- Can it cause weight gain or loss?
- What happens if you stop taking it?
- When should you take it?
- Does it lower triglycerides?
- When is the best time to take it?
- Is it a statin drug?
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Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use ezetimibe only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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