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Is Zetia a statin drug/medication?

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 18, 2023.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Can you take Zetia with a statin?

No, Zetia is not a statin drug.

Zetia reduces blood cholesterol in a different way than statin medications. Zetia lowers cholesterol levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed from the small intestine so that there is less intestinal cholesterol delivered to the liver.

Can you take Zetia with a statin?

Yes, you can take Zetia with a statin unless you have active liver disease or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby. Zetia and statins have a complementary effect on reducing cholesterol levels. They are both cholesterol-lowering medications that work in two distinctly different ways.

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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.

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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.

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