Ezetimibe and Headaches: What Users Say

• Bex...
• November 26, 2019

For High Cholesterol "My pharmacist recommended that I take 10mg ezetimibe as I had a severe reaction to statins. I was reluctant, but on the first day, after a couple of hours of taking this substance, I began to feel sad. I experienced sore eyes (and squinted with watery eyes), I was headachy with shoulder pain, and I was bloated the entire day. I began to lose concentration after three to four hours and was unable to focus while reading. The tips of my fingers were numb, and I was unable to use my keyboard. However, with fear and trepidation, I took this medication a couple of days later just to check, but I experienced similar symptoms and, in addition, extreme sadness with unpleasant thoughts. That’s it, no more experimental cholesterol drugs for me! I’d rather have a short life with my high cholesterol than tolerate this abominable torture and poison in my system!"

• 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."

• SRM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2019

For High Cholesterol "After four weeks of Ezetimibe, I have decided to stop. The first week, I experienced a severe headache and nausea. In the second week, I had stomach pain and fullness. In the third week, I experienced severe tingling in my hands and feet, extreme tiredness, and muscle cramps (charley horses) in my legs and feet, as well as heart pounding. In the fourth week, my knees had edema and were so sore I couldn't attend my exercise class anymore. On top of that, I am experiencing hair loss! I am also having awful heartburn. I stopped the drug on my own and notified my physician."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Doctor put me on this to lower cholesterol. I'm a person with 3 heart stents. Second day I took it, got all kinds of side effects: trouble breathing, stomach pain, terrible swelling, headache, cramping of muscles. Don't understand why he would do that, as it says it doesn't mix well with blood thinners. Stay away from this drug if possible, very dangerous."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Had high cholesterol for over 40 years and runs in the family. Statins for 12 months took a year out of my life. Even when given different ones, the side effects were intolerable. A recent blood test showed still too high LDL, so prescribed ezetimibe as told not a statin, and only side effects in less than one percent of the population, and possible only side effect would be diarrhea. Day 1, all good. Day 2, some diarrhea in the morning, by afternoon headache which got worse all through the night and into day 3. Day 3, pains in upper shoulder, legs, nausea, and still really bad headache. Ginger tabs eased the nausea, but nothing fixed the headache, and stayed awake all night. Day 4 worse than day 3, so have stopped. I have always reacted to prescription meds, always get the side effects, but would rather have a quality of life with high LDL than feel like this. Have not heard of any other alternatives."

• Cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2018

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "After taking this drug for a week, I experienced severe joint and muscle pain, stomach pain, and headaches. Disappointing as I am unable to take statins for the same reason. Will just have to contend with high cholesterol."

• Lil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2019

For High Cholesterol "After having a TIA (transient ischemic attack), I was put on Avandia, which works well. Now I've been given ezetimibe to go with it, and the pain in my legs hurts. Every night I'm tired with headaches all the time. Thinking of dropping it. PS I have swollen ankles too."

• Mik...
• November 3, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Have been unable to tolerate statins, so doc recommended Zetia. The headaches from Zetia are intolerable. I am stopping them. If I don’t, I will end up damaging my kidneys by taking too much ibuprofen just to get through the day."

• Wix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I took Ezetimibe for 3 days and felt dizzy and sick with headaches. I had a dry mouth, and it felt like I had a lump in my throat when swallowing. I left it for a couple of weeks, thinking I would try again when they were 'out of my system.' Two weeks later, after doing a walk (which I usually do most days), which involved steps, I had so much pain in my thigh muscles I could hardly walk the next day. I tried two more tablets after that, this time taking them at bedtime, but had, and am still having two weeks later, muscle pains and weird dreams. I woke up screaming one night after a nightmare."

• Kai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Poison, never felt so ill in my life after 5 days. Pressure headache, neck pain, sinus problems, body pains, constant peeing, and tiredness."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Ezetimibe does lower my cholesterol along with Lipitor, but I get headaches from it!"

• LA ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Severe stomach cramps. Diarrhea. Headache. Muscle weakness."

• Ter...
• April 4, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I have taken Ezetimibe 10 mg for the last 3 weeks. At first, it worked, but now I have bad headaches like I’m about to have a stroke or something. I plan to stop this medication today."