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Zetia User Reviews & Ratings

Zetia has an average rating of 4.4 out of 10 from a total of 75 reviews on Drugs.com. 31% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 56% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for Zetia

  • Fre...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 13, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I cannot take statins as they tank my depression. I am a disabled veteran and have had my depression under control for several years now. My general practitioner at the VA put me on Zetia for cholesterol. I took it for approximately 4 days. My depression got so bad that I stopped it today and notified my psychiatrist and my general practitioner that I was stopping it as of today. I spent the last two days crying because I felt so bad. I also was extremely tired, and my joints and muscles were hurting. This is just how the statins affected me. If you suffer from depression, run away from this drug as fast as you can!! It works very quickly and can catch you completely off guard!"

1 / 10
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  • Lal...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 24, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I have familial high cholesterol not caused by diet. I eat very healthy and weigh 100 lbs. I had no choice but to take medication. I had extreme negative side effects to both statins I tried, one landing me in the ER. I was desperate to find something that I could take. My boyfriend researched and found this. My Dr. wasn't sure it would work, but I was hopeful. It brought my cholesterol down well into the normal range with no side effects at all. I'm very grateful for this medication since I can't take statins, and my cholesterol cannot be controlled by diet."

10 / 10
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358 Report
  • Big...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 29, 2019

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."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Pol...
  • December 8, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Started Zetia in September 2020. In October, lab work was done, and everything was normal (liver, kidney function). On November 8, I started having scalp/head pain. I also noticed my hair had been thinning. On November 10, I had SEVERE right-sided abdominal pain, fever, and chills, cough, and shortness of breath. Went to Urgent care and a series of tests came back showing very high liver panel and very high inflammation markers. I stopped taking Zetia on 11/14/2020. Over the next 3 weeks I continued to have many side effects. They included head/scalp pain, hair thinning, cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, sweating, severe abdominal pain on the right and left side, a bad rash on forearm and hand, severe ankle and top of foot pain, fatigue, body aches, and night sweats. I had 4 negative COVID tests and 2 negative antibody tests. Now, I have atrial fibrillation going on (just started 3 days ago). I was a very active 74-year-old with perfect blood work for years. We ruled out COVID and have narrowed it down to Zetia really causing bad side effects."

1 / 10
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  • Sus...
  • February 20, 2019

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."

1 / 10
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  • Mic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 14, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I don’t know if Zetia is helping my high cholesterol since I have only been taking it three weeks and haven’t had the follow-up lab work yet, but I am getting ready to discontinue it on my own. My main complaint is extreme fatigue to the point where I feel like I need to lay down after quick outings. My blood pressure has dropped, and I have started taking a half dose of my blood pressure medication and a half pill of the Zetia. Still, I’m tired and find myself short of breath after moving around or even while talking sometimes. I just generally feel bad and weak, but I can’t tolerate statins. I was hoping this would work, but it doesn’t look like it."

2 / 10
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  • 3Bl...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 22, 2022

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I started taking Zetia after taking a plethora of cholesterol-lowering meds that gave me dementia-like side effects. The longer I took them, the worse it got. So my doctor thought Zetia might help. The first couple of days were fine, but then in the middle of the night, I would get these strange and painful electrical charges up my left arm that lasted a good hour. I gave the med a couple more days thinking maybe the pain was caused by something else, but it kept happening. I stopped it immediately because frankly, it was unbearable. When I told my doctor, she told me 'But that is not one of the side effects'! But it was one of MY side effects. I perused all of the reviews here and did not see anything like what I encountered while taking this medication. As soon as I stopped taking it, it was gone."

1 / 10
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More FAQ

  • Von...
  • July 29, 2019

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."

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  • Suz...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 20, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Started taking ezetimibe 7/17 to lower my high cholesterol. I developed sore joints and started belching, but didn’t relate this to the medication. In August, I noticed a large patch loss of pigment on the skin below my kneecaps. Then patches developed on my hands and feet. Within ten months, the pigment loss showed around my mouth. I then stopped the Zetia and the joint pain disappeared, I had no more belching and no more pigment loss. But then I had shingles. I have read that pigment loss and shingles result from a damaged immune system. As I am an otherwise healthy and active 65-year-old, and the fact that all of these symptoms occurred shortly after beginning this medication, I believe the ezetimibe damaged my immune system."

1 / 10
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  • MJR...
  • January 29, 2017

For High Cholesterol "If you are starting to belch while on this medicine, stop taking it, because it is starting to cause stomach inflammation, which is gastritis. This medicine caused muscle atrophy, dry eye, runny nose, anxiety, foot and calf cramping, sweating, sinus and stomach inflammation. I have been dealing with the gastritis, never had any stomach issues in my life until Zetia. I believe the drug companies are not telling people about all the side effects because they know not everyone gets every side effect, but believe me, this is a dangerous medicine. I have gone from 150 lbs with a lot of muscle, I went to the gym, lifted, and ran 3 to 4 miles a week. Now I'm about 118 lbs and still suffering 8, almost 9 months later."

1 / 10
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  • Bar...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 8, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I took Zetia, 10 mg once per day, for approximately 1 month. My lower back pain became so bad I could hardly get out of bed. I've been off of Zetia now for over a month, and the lower back pain is excruciating still. My primary care physician told me that I should not be having any side effects after being off of Zetia for one month. She told me that my lower back pain is due to something else. That's funny, I never had the lower back pain before starting Zetia! Anyway, one month post-Zetia, still excruciating lower back pain. I'm not sure if it threw my back into premature arthritis or what. I'm 72 years old, so something's hurting nearly every day. LOL As far as my primary care physician's take on it, I say BS! If it's not listed as a side effect and you're not the typical patient they learned about in their medical books, they have no idea what to do with you or for you. I'm surprised someone hasn't started a class action lawsuit regarding this drug."

1 / 10
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65 Report
  • one...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 18, 2018

For High Cholesterol "Couldn't take statins due to multiple side effects. Took Zetia for 6 weeks before realizing it was causing severe nausea on a daily basis, constipation, extreme tiredness, excruciating hip pain, hot flashes with profuse sweating, as well as gastritis. I've been off Zetia for two weeks and I'm still having the awful sweating flashes, constipation, hip pain, and tired to the point I fall asleep for about 30 minutes when I get home from work every day. The nausea is finally gone and gastritis has improved. I hope all this goes away soon!! I'm miserable! I will not take meds for cholesterol again. I'm going to go back to Krill oil and flaxseed oil."

1 / 10
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195 Report
  • Mar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 10, 2019

For High Cholesterol "My experience was horrible. Two weeks in, burping tons of gas turned into vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach problems all the time. Now, I cannot drink milk without having episodes of gas. Just not comfortable in my own body anymore. Unbelievable! I was fine before I took this medication, never had any problems with my stomach or my intestines. Been off it for 2 weeks, still having problems with my intestines and my stomach. Not too happy about it, horrible drug."

1 / 10
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157 Report
  • Oll...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 24, 2019

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."

1 / 10
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  • poi...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 16, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Can’t take statins so doc put me on Zetia. This stuff is poison for me! Within 4 days, the pain in my entire body left me unable to do anything, couldn’t sleep, diarrhea was horrible, migraines a few hours after taking it each night. I stopped taking it! Some reactions reversed in about 3 days but I’m now on day 9 since I stopped it and the upper left side down into my abdomen still hurt, yet I have a numbing sensation on my lower abdomen, urgent care doc thinks I may be developing shingles! Zetia has been known to trigger it. Awful, awful medicine! Wish I’d never touched it."

1 / 10
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  • Pet...
  • June 11, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I am 66 and have been taking Zetia 10 for nearly 5 years now. I had previously taken Zocor, Mevacor, and Crestor consecutively over a period of about 15 years, each giving me severe muscle pain in my feet and legs. At one point, the pain in my arches was so bad that one doctor diagnosed the problem as plantar fasciitis and recommended surgery. That's when I stopped taking any statins and within a couple of months, the pain was completely gone. When I started taking Zetia, I saw no adverse side effects and my bad cholesterol went down a little. About a year ago, I started having pain and weakness in my legs when standing up or climbing stairs. Now, I have pain in my left calf and heel and occasionally in my left arm, shoulder, and back."

5 / 10
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168 Report
  • Non...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 14, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I have tried statins to bring my cholesterol down but the side effects were unbearable! Have been on Zetia for a week and the side effects are insane. My muscles and joints hurt so bad I want to scream. My skin even burns! Give me high cholesterol over these medications and their side effects any day. I only hope they will go away!"

1 / 10
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144 Report
  • Ter...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 29, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I was prescribed this drug after my liver decided it was going to show sensitivity to statins. I'm in tears right now. It's only been 4 days and I've been experiencing severe joint pain, muscle tenderness, chest pain, and now woken up by a night terror. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I can't take this drug anymore. It's frightening!"

1 / 10
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156 Report
  • Fli...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 9, 2015

For High Cholesterol "After having difficulties with Simvastatin (sudden flailing of limbs), Lovaza (hyperhidrosis), Tricor (worse hyperhidrosis, fatigue, acid reflux), and high dose Niacin (same but worse), I was put on Zetia. Hyperhidrosis to the point of hyponatremia (constant sweating even in 30F weather & low sodium), inability to walk & breathe for more than a few steps at a time, reduced cardiac & respiratory function, clammy skin, constant feeling of being on fire (normal body temp but felt like I was burning alive), fatigue, and...severe craving for milk. I was drinking 2 to 2 1/2 GALLONS of milk PER DAY. I was always dehydrated. I gained 50 lbs on skim milk. Did lower my triglycerides but almost killed me. Improved swiftly after stopping Zetia."

2 / 10
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  • Gra...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 2, 2013

For High Cholesterol "I have had really good results with this medicine and no adverse side effects. I had not had to take it for about 5 years, but was recently asked by my M.D. to go back on it. I am going to have to decline due to the huge difference in the cost of it now! For a 90-day supply, it is now $285.00 even with my prescription insurance. I am on a fixed income & absolutely cannot afford this!"

9 / 10
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174 Report
  • hop...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 6, 2015

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."

1 / 10
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148 Report
  • Jer...
  • March 17, 2013

For High Cholesterol "I took Zocor for 10 years before developing muscle pain. Since then it's been trial and error with several different statins. In each case, I developed muscle pain in essentially the same area of my body, right buttocks, and hip. Most recently, I was put on Zetia without any statin. After two months, the pain returned to the same area, only much more severe than before and more persistent."

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  • Jac...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 11, 2014

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking this for 10 years, and although my cholesterol numbers are good, I'm constantly fatigued. I take a handful of other medications as a result of a heart attack that left no permanent damage to my heart. Sometimes I wonder if the side effects of a lot of these medications are worth the benefit. Plus, Zetia is expensive."

8 / 10
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130 Report
  • Red...
  • May 31, 2017

For High Cholesterol "My efforts to take something other than Statin is Zetia! My liver enzymes spike with Statins along with fatigue, muscle weakness, and cramping, major confusion, and memory difficulty! Overall, my cholesterol is in the 300s, and I need to get it lowered, so Zetia is one of many I've tried and couldn't tolerate! Side effects for me are fatigue, chills, and flushing, then sweats! Muscle charlie horses, joint pain!"

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  • Anonymous
  • January 2, 2011

For High Cholesterol "Tried several statins but both resulted in terrible muscle pain despite working to reduce both LDL and HDL levels. After switching to Zetia, no more muscle pains while lowering my LDL and maintaining my HDL levels."

9 / 10
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150 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.