Ezetimibe and Cramps: What Users Say

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2019

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I was put on Lipitor for lipid reduction. Did the job, but lower legs and quads and hams started to cramp severely during spinning classes at the local Y. Complained to my doctor, immediately put me on Crestor. Did the job and no cramps. Been on them for 8 years. Now cardiologist wants my LDL below 70 forever. So he puts me on generic Zetia. After 30 days, my Total Cholesterol dropped 20% to 143. Triglyceride from 97 to 78, LDL dropped from 100 to 62, Triglycerides from 97 to 78, and HDL from 56 to 65. Never had my LDL below 70, and they have proof if can keep the LDL under 70 for 4 or 5 years you can reduce artery and leg plaque by 24%. No stents or surgeries needed. Just take your meds."

• Sus...
• February 20, 2019

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "If I could rate this less than zero, I would!! I cannot tolerate statins so my doctor started me on Zetia. I started having severe side effects after just a few weeks. I didn't realize it was this medication at first and ended up in the ER after five weeks of being on it. I had severe distention in my abdomen, severe cramping, burning in my gut, pain, bleeding. I also had what felt like a bladder infection because I had pinching of my bladder and bleeding in my urine (although a urine test did not indicate I had an infection). I had so much distention in my abdomen that I could barely eat or drink anything. I also had tightness in other areas of my body including my chest, groin, and of course, abdomen. I stopped this the day I went to the ER. I have been off this medication for several weeks now but continue to have issues. I have severe indigestion after I eat now and it seems to have...le, as well as generally not feeling well."

• Von...
• July 29, 2019

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I can't take statins, they make me hurt so bad. No pain medicine even works. My cholesterol is so high now, and I'm on a strict diet and stay on it, but my cholesterol still goes up. Now, my arteries in my neck are clogged. The doctor decided to try me on Zetia. I've been on it for 10 days. My stomach is extended so much, I thought I gained water in my stomach. It hurts so bad. My legs cramp. I couldn't take the treadmill test because I ran out of air. I will have to do a chemical test. I've had the sweats and chills. What is a person to do? I don't know where to turn to anymore. I guess I inherited my dad's bad genes because he died at 42, and right now I am 69 and had strokes and a heart attack. It's all crazy."

• Oll...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2019

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I have been on Zetia for 4 weeks. I am having pains under my ribs on the left side and radiating to my back. Stomach pains just woke me up in the middle of the night. My feet have been cramping at night. I keep having severe bloating in my stomach. I also keep burping. Calling the doctor in the morning to stop the drug."

• hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2015

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "The second day of taking Zetia, I had night leg cramps (Charley's Horse). The third night, same thing, leg cramps at night. The fourth night foot and leg cramps at night. Stopped taking them after the fourth night."

• hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2015

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "The second day of taking Zetia, I had night leg cramps (Charley's Horse). The third night, same thing, leg cramps at night. The fourth night foot and leg cramps at night. Stopped taking them after the fourth night."

• Wat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2022

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "My cardiologist put me on statins over 2021, 80 mg, 40, 20, 10, then changed to Crestor 5, then 2.5 mg. I cannot tolerate them, period. Now, he put me on Zetia, which I resisted for about a month, but he insisted I try them. By the 3rd day, I have muscle pain in my arms, cramps in my legs and feet, diarrhea, queasy stomach, severe headaches, dizziness, and insomnia. My non-fasting cholesterol is 225/85. I am stopping Zetia, and I pray that all these side effects go away within days. No one can live like this. I have a good diet, but will work at it even harder because I will NOT take this poison again. If you have had good results, I am happy for you, but if you experience what I have, get off them now."

• Fly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I was taking the name brand Zetia for many years after trying 5 different statins that caused leg cramps that had me jumping out of bed at night and no way to stop the horrendous pain. No, pickle juice and hot showers didn't work. Things were going well with the Zetia until my insurance company refused to cover the drug this year and said I had to take the generic ezetimibe. What a disaster! It was like doing a colonoscopy prep every day. I couldn't leave the house because I was constantly running to the bathroom with severe diarrhea that lasted about 8-10 hours until the drug wore off. It made it impossible to even go to work. I couldn't eat anything without it running right through me (that's how it controlled the cholesterol--nothing stayed with you). Frankly, I'd rather take NOTHING than go through that again."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2024

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "8/2/24 My experience with Zetia has been unexplainable. My numbers were very high, and now, after being on it for 3 months, they are very low. So low I had my doctor do another blood test because I thought the test results were wrong. The second test, done a week later, was even lower. Now I am concerned they will get too low. All statins I was put on caused severe cramping: arms, legs, feet, hands, under my rib cage, back. The only side effect I have with Zetia is possible cramping in my forearms when I stretch and my calves. I also have had hair loss. Now taking Rogaine to see if that helps. I am 75 years old, so lots of complaints may be from just getting old."

• Rub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I am a diabetic, so of course the doctors automatically say I have to be on cholesterol medication. My LDL is only 116, so just over the within range for the lab tests. Tried statins in the past, and the cramps were unbearable. Well, after 4 days on this drug, I feel like I have not slept in weeks. I have lost 5 pounds in the short time, the severe diarrhea is keeping me up at night, and I have developed a rash on my chest. Also, my joints and muscles are really sore, and my chest feels very tight. Like I could not do anything that would elevate my heart rate. Also feel dizzy and lightheaded, but that could be because I have not slept much due to running to the bathroom multiple times at night. I will be stopping medication as of now! I do not have a gallbladder, and they state in their consumer guide that it is safe for patients who do not have a gallbladder. If you do not have your gallbladder, really think hard before trying this."

• Sit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2018

For High Cholesterol "Was on Zetia 10 mg daily for four years. Underwent numerous scans, testing, ultrasounds, and vascular studies to determine why I was having severe leg cramping every single day (worse at night). I discontinued Zetia by myself, and my legs had a 100% return to normal. Unable to take statins due to joint pains but was assured this med was not the same."

• fru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2022

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "On it 3 months. Sinusitis, some muscle tenderness. However, only works half as good as atorvastatin. Was on atorvastatin 3 years, 10 mg (3 days a week), but caused leg cramps and muscle weakness. Going to try atorvastatin again to see if night leg cramps come back."

• ahi...
• September 8, 2015

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I experienced severe abdominal cramps and pain, as well as diarrhea. I also experienced weakness and fatigue. I could not tolerate the drug, so I do not know if it had any effect on my cholesterol."