Ezetimibe Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 28, 2024.

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipidemia

10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• In combination with a statin, or as monotherapy when additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy is not possible, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)
• In combination with fenofibrate, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• In combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, for the reduction of elevated LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
• As an adjunct to diet, for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia

Usual Adult Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• In combination with a statin, or as monotherapy when additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy is not possible, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)
• In combination with fenofibrate, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• In combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, for the reduction of elevated LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
• As an adjunct to diet, for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia

Usual Adult Dose for Sitosterolemia

10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• In combination with a statin, or as monotherapy when additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy is not possible, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)
• In combination with fenofibrate, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• In combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, for the reduction of elevated LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
• As an adjunct to diet, for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia

Usual Adult Dose for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• In combination with a statin, or as monotherapy when additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy is not possible, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)
• In combination with fenofibrate, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• In combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, for the reduction of elevated LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
• As an adjunct to diet, for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Hetero- or Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:

• Age 10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Homozygous Familial Sitosterolemia:

• Age 9 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• In combination with a statin, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HeFH.
• In combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, for the reduction of elevated LDL-C levels in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HoFH
• As an adjunct to diet, for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with homozygous familial sitosterolemia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sitosterolemia

Hetero- or Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:

• Age 10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Homozygous Familial Sitosterolemia:

• Age 9 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• In combination with a statin, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HeFH.
• In combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, for the reduction of elevated LDL-C levels in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HoFH
• As an adjunct to diet, for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with homozygous familial sitosterolemia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Hetero- or Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:

• Age 10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Homozygous Familial Sitosterolemia:

• Age 9 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• In combination with a statin, as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated LDL-C in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HeFH.
• In combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, for the reduction of elevated LDL-C levels in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HoFH
• As an adjunct to diet, for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with homozygous familial sitosterolemia

Renal Dose Adjustments

Renal dysfunction: No adjustment recommended.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Mild liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh A): Data no available
Moderate or severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh B or C): Not recommended

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Known hypersensitivity to the active component or to any of the ingredients
• In patients for whom a statin, fenofibrate, or other LDL-C lowering therapy are contraindicated, when this drug is used concomitantly with any of those agents; refer to the appropriate manufacturer product information for a list of contraindications

Safety and efficacy have not been established in:

• Patients less than 10 years of age with hetero- or homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
• Patients less than 9 years of age with homozygous familial sitosterolemia
• Pediatric patients with other types of hyperlipidemia

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• For oral use
• May administer with or without food.
• Administer this drug at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after the administration of a bile acid sequestrant.
• If a dose is missed, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Do not double the next dose.
• Consult the appropriate manufacturer product information when using this drug concomitantly with another lipid-lowering therapy (e.g., statin).

Storage requirements:

• Store at room temperature between 68F to 77F (20C to 25C); protect from moisture.

Monitoring:

• Hepatic: Liver enzymes (as clinically indicated during therapy)
• Metabolic: LDL-C (as early as 4 weeks after initiating treatment and as clinically appropriate)

Patient advice:

• Read the US FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).
• Understand that this drug may cause liver enzyme elevations.
• Promptly report any signs or symptoms of unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever to your health care provider.
• Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including over-the-counter products.
• Patients of childbearing potential: Notify your health care provider of a known/suspected pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions

• Does Zetia (ezetimibe) cause memory loss?
• Can Zetia (ezetimibe) cause liver damage?
• How does Zetia (ezetimibe) work to lower cholesterol?
• Does Zetia (ezetimibe) cause weight gain/loss or muscle aches/pains?
• What happens if you stop taking Ezetimibe?
• When should you take ezetimibe?
• Is ezetimibe a statin drug?
• When is the best time to take ezetimibe?
• Does ezetimibe lower triglycerides?

See also:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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