Zetia (Ezetimibe)

What is Zetia?

Zetia (ezetimibe) belongs to a class of lipid-lowering compounds called cholesterol absorption inhibitors. The drug inhibits the absorption of cholesterol by the intestines. It also reduces the amount of other sterols that are absorbed by the body from your diet.

What is Zetia used for?

Zetia is used in the treatment of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). It can be used alone or in combination with other cholesterol reducing drugs. Zetia is also used to treat high blood sitosterol and campesterol.

How does Zetia work?

Zetia works in the digestive tract and blocks the absorption of cholesterol from your diet.  Since the amount of cholesterol delivered from the digestive tract to the liver is less, the liver is able to take that cholesterol out from the blood. This helps in reducing blood cholesterol levels.

How to use Zetia

Zetia is usually taken once daily. It is advisable to take the medicine at the same time each day. It can be taken with or without food.

If you take other cholesterol medications, wait for at least 4 hours after you take these medicines and before taking Zetia. Get your blood tested for cholesterol, on a regular basis.

Zetia warnings and precautions

Avoid eating foods that have high fat or cholesterol content. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ezetimibe. Also avoid taking the drug if you are suffering from a liver disease.

Prior to taking Zetia, consult your doctor if you have kidney disease, thyroid disorder or you use steroid medicine or hormones.

Pregnant or Lactating mothers must consult their doctors before starting with the medication. If you plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor in advance.

What do I do if I have missed a Zetia dose?

If you have missed your Zetia dose you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Zetia overdose?

An overdose of Zetia does not produce serious consequences. However, if you have taken a Zetia overdose you should seek medical attention.

Zetia interactions

Before using Zetia, tell your doctor if you use other drugs like colestipol (Colestid), cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite), gemfibrozil (Lopid), colesevelam (Welchol), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf) or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

Zetia side effects

Zetia side effects include nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark urine and/or clay-colored stools, low fever, chest pain, breathing difficulty, swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat; and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects after using Zetia, contact your doctor.

Sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, headache, skin rash, peeling, pancreatitis, muscle weakness or tired feeling, dizziness, diarrhea, pancreatitis, jaundice are also side effects from Zetia.