EZETIMIBE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Zetia

GENERIC NAME(S): EZETIMIBE

Description: Ezetimibe inhibits absorption of cholesterol by the Niemann-Pick C1-Like1 (NPC1L1). This results in reduced amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body.

Uses

Indications:

Ezetimibe is used along with a low cholesterol/low fat diet and exercise to help lower cholesterol in the blood. Ezetimibe may be used alone or with other drugs (such as “statins” or fibrates).

How to use ezetimibe

Dosage: Take 10 mg of this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with or without food.

If taking a bile acid sequestrant (such as cholestyramine, colestipol), take ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking the bile acid sequestrant.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol do not feel sick. It may take up to 2 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with ezetimibe may not need medical attention:

More common

Fever
headache
muscle pain
runny nose
sore throat

Less common

Back pain
body aches or pain
chest pain
chills
cold or flu-like symptoms
congestion
coughing
diarrhea
difficulty in moving
dizziness
dryness or soreness of throat
hoarseness
muscle pain or stiffness
pain in joints
pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
shortness of breath or troubled breathing
stomach pain
stuffy nose
tender, swollen glands in neck
tightness of chest or wheezing
trouble in swallowing
unusual tiredness or weakness
voice changes

Precautions

Precautions

Allergy: Before taking ezetimibe, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Medical History: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had: liver disease.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Pregnancy Risk: Category C . During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.

Breastfeeding: It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

One product that may interact with this drug is: cyclosporine.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as cholesterol levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress. When ezetimibe is given with a statin agent, liver function tests should be performed to monitor for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Brands

Available Brands:

Ezetrol [ Merck Sharp & Dohme ]

EZETIMIBE

Uses

Warnings

Side Effects

Precautions

Overdose & Brands

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