What is Zetia?
Zetia lowers the amount of total cholesterol as well as LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood. Zetia helps treat excessive cholesterol in those who are unable to reduce their cholesterol levels with exercise and diet alone.
Zetia is a medicine that reduces the quantity of cholesterol that your body is able to absorb. It is important to follow a dietary plan that reduces cholesterol while taking this medication.Zetia can be prescribed with other medications to lower cholesterol.
Warnings
Zetia is just a small part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes exercise, diet, and weight loss. Make sure you follow your diet, medications, and workout routines precisely.Certain cholesterol medicines should not be used in conjunction with other cholesterol medications. If you're taking Zetia along with another cholesterol medication, follow your doctor's dose instructions with care.
It is not recommended to use Zetia in the case of an illness of the liver that is moderate or severe. It is not advisable to take Zetia in conjunction with a "statin" cholesterol medicine if you suffer from active liver disease or if you're breastfeeding or pregnant.Consult your physician right away. If you are experiencing unprovoked muscle tenderness, pain, or weakness, especially when you are also suffering from fatigue, fever, and dark-colored urine,
Before you take this drug
It is recommended not to take Zetia. If you have an allergy to ezetimibe or suffer from:
- Moderate to severe liver disease ranging from moderate to severe.
Zetia is not a product that has been approved for use by anyone less than 10 years old.
It is not recommended to take Zetia in conjunction with a "statin" cholesterol medicine (Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor, and others) if:
- If you suffer from liver disease that is active,
- You are pregnant;
- You're breastfeeding the baby.
Statin cholesterol medicines can lead to the destruction of muscles, which may result in the kidney failing. It is more common in women, especially in older people or in those with kidney disease or who have poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
To ensure that Zetia is appropriate for you, ask your physician if you suffer from:
- Liver disease;
- Kidney disease kidney disease
- Unanswered muscle ache or an inability to move.
Inform your doctor if you are nursing or pregnant.
Utilize effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking Zetia with a statin medication. Inform your physician about your plans to have a baby.Don't breastfeed when you are taking Zetia with a statin medicine.
How to take Zetia?
Use Zetia exactly as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on the label of your prescription and study all medication guides or instruction sheets.Zetia is typically taken once each day, during the same period every day.You can consume Zetia in combination with food or not.
Zetia can be taken concurrently with fenofibrate or a statin drug like simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin.The treatment you receive could also include diet and exercise, weight management, and blood tests.
There is a chance that you'll require regular medical tests even if there are no signs.Your cholesterol levels might not change for as long as two weeks.Place it in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose of Zetia for Hyperlipidemia
10 mg orally every day.
Uses:
for use as a monotherapy when combined with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) to add to the diet in order to reduce the levels of total cholesterol (total-C) as well as lower-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and non-high-density cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients suffering from an underlying (heterozygous family and not-fa) hyperlipidemia in patients suffering from an underlying (heterozygous family and non-fa
For use in combination therapy using fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet in order to reduce elevated levels of total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C levels in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
As a supplement to a diet plan to lower elevated sitosterol and levels of campesterol in patients who have homozygous sitosterolemia in their families.
-For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin to reduce elevated total-C and LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL Apheresis) in the event that such therapies aren't available.
Usual Adult Dose of Zetia for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:
10 mg taken orally, once a day
Uses:
For use as a monotherapy or in conjunction with an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) to add to a healthy diet to reduce the levels of total cholesterol (total-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), and non-high-density cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients suffering from an underlying (heterozygous family and not-familial) hyperlipidemia
For use in combination therapy with fenofibrate as an alternative to diet to lower the levels of LDL-C, total C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C levels in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
As an addition to diet to lower elevated sitosterol and levels of campesterol in patients suffering from homozygous sitosterolemia in families.
-For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin to reduce elevated total-C and LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL Apheresis) in the event that such therapies aren't available.
Usual Adult Dose of Zetia for Sitosterolemia:
10 mg orally every day.
Uses:
for use as a monotherapy in conjunction with an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) to add to a diet plan to lower elevated levels of total cholesterol (total-C) as well as low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), and non-high-density cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients suffering from an underlying (heterozygous family and not-familial) hyperlipidemia in patients suffering from an underlying (heterozygous family and not-fa
for use in combination therapy using fenofibrate as an alternative to diet in order to reduce elevated levels of total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C levels in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia.
as an aid to diet to lower sitosterol and levels of campesterol in patients suffering from homozygous sitosterolemia in families.
-For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin to reduce elevated total-C and LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis), or if such treatments are unavailable.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hyperlipidemia:
Aged 10 or over, 10 mg orally at least once per day
Uses:
It is indicated as a single therapy or in combination with statins as an addition to a diet plan to lower elevated LDL-C, total-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C levels in patients suffering from primary (heterozygous or non-familial) hyperlipidemia.
For use in combination therapy along with fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet therapy to lower elevated LDL-C, total-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C levels in patients suffering from mixed hyperlipidemia
as an alternative to a diet plan to lower elevated sitosterol and levels of campesterol in patients suffering from homozygous sitosterolemia familial
-For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin for the reduction of elevated total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) (e.g., LDL apheresis) or treatment options are not available.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:
10 years and older 10 mg taken orally, at least once per day
Uses:
For use as a single therapy or in combination with statins as an adjunct to a diet plan to decrease elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and other HDL-C levels in patients suffering from primary (heterozygous or non-familial) hyperlipidemia
For use in combination therapy using fenofibrate in conjunction with a diet to lower the elevated levels of total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients suffering from mixed hyperlipidemia.
As an addition to diet to lower elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels among patients suffering from homozygous sitosterolemia in families.
-For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin for the reduction of elevated total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) (e.g., LDL apheresis) or treatment options are not available.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Sitosterolemia:
Aged 10 or over, 10 mg orally every day, once
Uses:
It is indicated as a monotherapy when combined with a statin to provide an addition to a diet plan to reduce elevated levels of total C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C levels in patients suffering from the primary (heterozygous family and not-familial) hyperlipidemia
For use in combination therapy with fenofibrate in conjunction with a diet to lower the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients suffering from mixed hyperlipidemia.
As an addition to diet to lower elevated sitosterol and levels of campesterol in patients who have homozygous sitosterolemia in their families.
-For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin for the reduction of elevated total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) for example, or in the event that such treatment options are not available.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but avoid any missed doses if you are nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Beware of eating foods that have high levels of cholesterol or fat, or Zetia won't be as effective.
Side effects of Zetia
Get immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing indications for an allergy reaction, Zetia: hives, breathing problems, and swelling of your lips, face, or tongue
Zetia may cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which could lead to kidney failure. Consult your physician right away when you experience unidentified muscle tenderness, pain, or weakness, especially if you are also suffering from unusual tiredness, a fever, or dark colored urine.
Certain adverse reactions are more frequent among older adults.
Common adverse effects of Zetia can include:
- Diarrhea;
- Cold symptoms like nasal stuffiness, sneezing, a sore throat,
- Muscle or leg;
- Joint pain,
- Muscles pain when experiencing muscle pain while taking Zetia along with statin.
This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
If you are also taking other cholesterol medications, take Zetia 2 hours prior to or 4 hours following the taking of cholestyramine, colestipol, or
Tell your doctor about the other medicines you are taking for example:
- Cyclosporine;
- Fenofibric acid;
- Gemfibrozil;
- Is a blood thinner: warfarin, coumadin, and Jantoven.
This list isn't comprehensive. Other drugs can be incompatible with ezetimibe, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some interactions with drugs are not listed here. are included here.