Is Zetia a statin drug/medication?
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.
- Zetia acts in the small intestine to block cholesterol being absorbed so there is less cholesterol delivered to the liver, resulting in lower cholesterol levels. This causes an increase in hepatic LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptor activity, which leads to increased clearance of LDL cholesterol.
- Statins reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting an enzyme (called HMG-CoA reductase) which causes a decrease in the amount of cholesterol and lipoproteins that the body produces. Statin medications also increase the LDL receptors on liver cells, which increases the amount of LDL-cholesterol that can be absorbed out of the bloodstream, and then the LDL-cholesterol is broken down
Bottom line:
- Zetia is not a statin medication, it is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor.
- Zetia and statins are both cholesterol-lowering medications.
- Zetia and statins can be taken together except if you have active liver disease or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby.
References
- Zetia Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/pro/zetia.html
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/cholesterol-absorption-inhibitors.html
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, although it is very rare. Monitor liver enzymes for the development of serious toxic hepatitis and consider ezetimibe discontinuation if it develops. Perform liver tests during ezetimibe initiation and regularly thereafter and consider withdrawal of ezetimibe and/or the statin (if coadministered) should an increase in ALT or AST ≥3 X upper limit of normal (ULN) persist. 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 reading
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Drug information
- Zetia Information for Consumers
- Zetia prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Zetia (detailed)
- Zetia user reviews (76)
Related support groups
- Zetia (18 questions, 34 members)