Zetia (Ezetimibe) - Oral

What Is Zetia?

Zetia (ezetimibe) is an oral prescription drug used to lower cholesterol. It belongs to a drug class known as antihyperlipidemic agents. Zetia can be used by itself or with other drugs, like statins. 

Ezetimibe is the active ingredient in Zetia and prevents cholesterol absorption in the small intestine. It helps your body get rid of more cholesterol. It also reduces the transport and storage of cholesterol in the liver.

This drug is approved for use in people 10 years of age and older. Zetia is only available as a 10 milligram (mg) tablet.

What Is Zetia Used For?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zetia to:

• Lower cholesterol in people who have high cholesterol levels despite using statins and exercise 
• Treat a rare health issue that makes it hard for your body to get rid of bad cholesterol (homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia)
• Treat a health problem in which the body absorbs too many sterols but doesn't get rid of enough (homozygous sitosterolemia)
  

How to Take Zetia

Take one tablet by mouth once a day. Take Zetia with or without food at the same time of the day. You may take it at the same time with a statin or fenofibrate. However, make sure to take Zetia at least two hours before or more than four hours after taking bile acid sequestrants, like cholestyramine.

Do not stop taking your medicine if you feel better. Keep taking your medication as directed by your healthcare provider.

Storage

The best temperature to store Zetia at is room temperature (77 F), but you may keep this drug between cool and average hot temperatures (between 59 F and 86 F) during trips. Store your medicine in a dry place away from moisture. Do not leave it in your bathroom.

Keep your medicine out of reach of pets and children. Throw away any unused or expired medication. Do not flush your pills down the drain or toilet. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about the best ways to discard medicine, or look for more about drug take-back programs in your area.

Off-Label Uses

Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe medications for uses not listed on the product label. This is known as off-label use.

Zetia is sometimes prescribed off-label to prevent plaque buildup in arteries after serious heart events, like heart attacks or strokes.

What Are the Side Effects of Zetia?

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088. 

Like other medications, Zetia may cause side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects while taking this medication.

Common Side Effects

Many people have few or no side effects while on ezetimibe. However, the most common side effects reported are:

• Diarrhea
• Joint pain
• Loss of energy 
• Upper respiratory infection
• Sinusitis (swelling of your sinuses)

Severe Side Effects

It is uncommon to have serious side effects while on Zetia, but some people have had severe and sometimes deadly reactions like:

• Muscle weakness
• Muscle pain
• Liver enzyme abnormalities
• Signs of an allergic reaction

Call your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency.

Dosage: How Much Zetia Should I Take?

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of your drug, take the missed dose as soon as you think of it. If it is too close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal schedule. Do not double up on your medicine or take two doses at a time.

Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Zetia?

Ezetimibe overdoses are rare. However, overdose symptoms may include muscle weakness.

Precautions

What Are Reasons I Shouldn't Take Zetia?

Do not take Zetia if you are:

• Allergic to it or any part of its formulation
• On a statin and have liver disease 
• Pregnant or breastfeeding and require treatment with a statin

What Other Medications Interact With Zetia?

Do not take Zetia with fibric acid derivatives like:

• Gemfibrozil
• Bezafibrate
• Ciprofibrate

These drugs can increase the level of Zetia in your body. As a result, they may worsen the side effects, mainly causing muscle weakness and gallstones.

What Medications Are Similar?

There are medications that are similar to Zetia, including:

• Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin)
• Roszet (ezetimibe and rosuvastatin)
• Nexlizet (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe)

Vytorin, Roszet, and Nexlizet are all combination drugs with ezetimibe as one of the components.

Both Vytorin and Roszet contain statins. They have similar properties, but they are more effective than ezetimibe. These medications raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower triglycerides (fat). They also have more side effects, including a bad reaction called rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown).

Nexlizet has more drug interactions and more side effects than ezetimibe. It may cause common cold symptoms, flu-like symptoms, and muscle spasms.

How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Zetia?

You should start feeling better within a week of starting this medication. However, you should not stop taking your medication because you feel better. Suddenly stopping Zetia may increase the risk of having a severe event like stroke or heart attack. If you have any questions or concerns about your drug, talk to your healthcare provider.

Your body makes cholesterol. However, certain foods you eat (e.g., processed foods) may also contain cholesterol. To stay healthy, avoid consuming foods that are high in cholesterol. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommended diet plan for you.