Zetia reduces blood cholesterol in a different way to statin medications. Check with your pharmacist. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Keep using your medication as directed. Zetia (ezetimibe) reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body. WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. SUNDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- A new study raises more questions about ezetimibe (), a drug used by millions of Americans in tandem with statins to lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol.. You should not use Zetia if you are allergic to ezetimibe, or if you have: You should not use ezetimibe with a "statin" cholesterol medicine (Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor, and others) if: To make sure Zetia is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: Before you start taking Zetia, tell your doctor if you already take a statin cholesterol medicine. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Is Zetia safe? Tell your doctor about the allergy and Some cholesterol medications can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Some cholesterol medications should not be taken at the same time. It is not known whether Zetia alone will harm an unborn baby. Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. If you take Zetia with another cholesterol medicine, follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: All drugs may cause side effects. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using ezetimibe with a statin medication. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking Zetia (ezetimibe), call your doctor right away. Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about. Zetia is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. How does Zetia work to lower cholesterol? There are two types of cholesterol; one produced by your body accounts for 75% of usual cholesterol levels – good cholesterol (a non-technical name for high-densit… Last updated on Jun 3, 2020. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: These are not all of the side effects that may occur. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. How does Zetia work to lower cholesterol? Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven). Before you start taking Zetia, tell your doctor if you already take a statin cholesterol medicine. You should not use ezetimibe with a "statin" cholesterol medicine if you have active liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. Cholesterol is an element of our body. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Side effects may be more likely in older adults. It is not known whether ezetimibe alone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Generic Name: Ezetimibe (ez ET i mibe)Brand Name: Zetia. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Throw away unused or expired drugs. to make sure that it is safe for you to take Zetia (ezetimibe) with all of your drugs and health problems. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. You will need frequent blood tests to measure your cholesterol levels. Read all information given to you. What happens if you stop taking ezetimibe? Generic Name: ezetimibe (ez ET i mibe) If you are allergic to Zetia (ezetimibe); any part of Zetia (ezetimibe); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. You should not use Zetia if you have moderate to severe liver disease. You should not take ezetimibe with a statin medication if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Therefore, it is mostly used with statins to block cholesterol producing enzymes in the liver. Some cholesterol medications can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Cholesterol is a fat-like compound found in the bloodstream and in the cells of our body. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.