Zetia
Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe (ez ET i mibe) is a generic medication prescribed for lowering high cholesterol levels caused by certain conditions, among other uses. It’s often part of a treatment plan that includes a balanced diet. Ezetimibe belongs to a group of drugs called cholesterol-absorption inhibitors.
Ezetimibe (ez ET i mibe) is a generic medication prescribed for lowering high cholesterol levels caused by certain conditions, among other uses. It’s often part of a treatment plan that includes a balanced diet. Ezetimibe belongs to a group of drugs called cholesterol-absorption inhibitors.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 10mg
- • 90 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on September 15, 2023
Ezetimibe (ez ET i mibe) is a generic medication prescribed for lowering high cholesterol levels caused by certain conditions, among other uses. It’s often part of a treatment plan that includes a balanced diet. Ezetimibe belongs to a group of drugs called cholesterol-absorption inhibitors.
Side effects
Side effects of ezetimibe
Ezetimibe may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of ezetimibe and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about ezetimibe’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for ezetimibe listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with ezetimibe are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about ezetimibe’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for ezetimibe listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Ezetimibe oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold or the flu
- diarrhea
- joint pain
- low energy
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for ezetimibe” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of ezetimibe are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about ezetimibe’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for ezetimibe listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, ezetimibe’s serious side effects include:
- increase in liver enzymes, which may indicate liver damage
- rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- unexplained muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for ezetimibe” section.
FAQ
Common questions about ezetimibe
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about ezetimibe.
What brand-name versions are available for ezetimibe?
Zetia is the brand-name version of ezetimibe.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared with brand-name drugs. For more information on brand-name versus generic drugs, see this article.
For more information about the brand-name version of ezetimibe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What is ezetimibe’s mechanism of action? How long does it take to start working?
How a drug works is referred to as its mechanism of action. Ezetimibe works by blocking cholesterol from being absorbed in the small intestines. This causes less cholesterol to reach the liver, which stores cholesterol. As a result, the liver creates proteins that absorb more cholesterol from the blood.
It takes about 2 weeks for ezetimibe to start lowering your cholesterol. High cholesterol generally doesn’t cause symptoms, so you may not notice the drug is working. Still, it’s important that you continue to take the medication as prescribed.
If you’d like to know more about how ezetimibe works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is ezetimibe a statin?
No, ezetimibe is not a statin. Ezetimibe belongs to a group of drugs called cholesterol-absorption inhibitors. Both cholesterol-absorption inhibitors and statins are used to treat high cholesterol. But the way these types of drugs work to lower cholesterol differs.
To help manage your cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend that you take ezetimibe with a statin, such as atorvastatin. This depends on the condition you’ll take ezetimibe to treat.
If you’d like to know more about how ezetimibe compares with statins, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for ezetimibe
Below you’ll find information about ezetimibe’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of ezetimibe
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take ezetimibe, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for ezetimibe” section below.
Warnings for ezetimibe
Some people should not take ezetimibe, and others should take it cautiously.
Ezetimibe could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether ezetimibe is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for ezetimibe, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Ezetimibe can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to ezetimibe or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe ezetimibe. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to ezetimibe, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of ezetimibe
You should not take more ezetimibe than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much ezetimibe, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and ezetimibe
Information about ezetimibe and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Ezetimibe and pregnancy
It’s not known whether ezetimibe should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ezetimibe and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether ezetimibe should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Uses
Uses of ezetimibe
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as ezetimibe for certain conditions. Approved uses for ezetimibe are described below.
Use for lowering cholesterol
Doctors may prescribe ezetimibe oral tablet for treating high cholesterol and other fats in the blood caused by certain conditions. It’s used for this purpose in adults and some children. It’s usually taken long term.
Specifically, ezetimibe is used to lower a type of cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) due to:
- primary hyperlipidemia in adults, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), an inherited condition
- HeFH in children ages 10 years and older
- homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), an inherited condition, in adults and children ages 10 years and older
- mixed hyperlipidemia (high triglycerides or other fats, in addition to high cholesterol) in adults
Ezetimibe is also used to lower levels of sitosterol and campesterol (fats that are similar to cholesterol) due to:
- homozygous familial sitosterolemia, an inherited condition, in adults and children ages 9 years and older
Too much LDL can cause blockages in your blood vessels. This can make it hard for blood to reach important organs in your body, such as your heart. Such blockages may also lead to certain heart and blood vessel problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Ezetimibe is usually meant to be a part of a treatment plan that includes a balanced diet to manage cholesterol. Your doctor or a nutritionist can tell you more about the best dietary choices to make to help you reach your treatment goals.
Depending on the condition ezetimibe is being used to treat, it may be prescribed together with a statin, such as simvastatin (Zocor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor), fenofibrate (Fenoglide, Tricor), or other cholesterol-lowering medication.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about ezetimibe or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Are there any alternative medications that I can take to help manage my cholesterol?
- What happens if I miss a dose of ezetimibe?
- What are my options if I can’t afford ezetimibe?
Resources
Resources
- Ezetimibe tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f852b12f-e25f-415b-b1e2-58955d609507/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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