Does ezetimibe cause weight gain/loss or muscle aches/pains?
No, Zetia (ezetimibe) does not usually cause weight loss or weight gain according to ezetimibe clinical trials. In a review and analysis of 2722 people on ezetimibe, weight loss or weight gain was not a listed side effect. It also reported that the ezetimibe monotherapy side effects rate was similar to those who took placebo (dummy) tablets.
Does Zetia (ezetimibe) cause muscle aches and pains?
Zetia may rarely cause muscle pains, tenderness, or weakness with elevated creatine kinase (CK) when used as a single therapy. Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness can be symptoms of a serious side effect called rhabdomyolysis. This is when damaged muscle tissue breaks down and releases its contents into the bloodstream, which causes kidney damage and other life-threatening complications.
There is an increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when taking Zetia with other medicines, including statins or fibrates
Tell your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially when starting or adjusting the dose. You may need to have a blood test to check your creatine kinase (CK), which measures muscle damage. Your healthcare provider may advise you to reduce your dose or stop taking Zetia.
Bottom line:
- Ezetimibe side effects do not include weight gain or weight loss
- Ezetimibe rarely causes muscle aches and pains, which can be symptom of a serious side effect called rhabdomyolysis.
References
- Ezetimibe Monotherapy for Cholesterol Lowering in 2,722 people: Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2008.02062.x
- Ezetimibe Therapy: Mechanism of Action and Clinical Update: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3402055/
- Zetia Prescribing Information - FDA https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/021445s043lbl.pdf
Read next
Does Zetia (ezetimibe) cause memory loss?
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
Can Zetia (ezetimibe) cause liver damage?
Yes, Zetia (ezetimibe) can cause liver damage and hepatotoxicity, although serious liver injury is very rare. Healthcare providers should monitor liver enzymes regularly for signs of drug-induced liver injury and toxic hepatitis, and consider ezetimibe discontinuation if liver damage develops. Your healthcare provider should perform baseline liver function tests just before starting ezetimibe treatment and conduct regular liver monitoring thereafter.
Continue reading
How does Zetia (ezetimibe) work to lower cholesterol?
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 readingSee also:
Related medical questions
- What happens if you stop taking Ezetimibe?
- When should you take ezetimibe?
- When is the best time to take ezetimibe?
- Is ezetimibe a statin drug?
- Does ezetimibe lower triglycerides?
- When is the best time to take Zetia?
- Can ezetimibe be taken with statin drugs like atorvastatin?
- Is Zetia a statin drug/medication?
- Is Zetia better than a statin?
- Does Zetia affect blood pressure?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Ezetimibe (18 questions, 15 members)
- Zetia (18 questions, 35 members)
- Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) (875 questions, 1,514 members)
- Myopathy (1 questions, 20 members)