ZETIA

Who is Zetia for ?

Ezetimibe is a medicine used to lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol in the blood. It is used when cholesterol levels cannot be controlled by diet alone. Ezetimibe can be used by itself or with other cholesterol-lowering medicines. Stay on a cholesterol-lowering diet while taking this medicine. this medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

When should I be careful taking Zetia ?

Before taking ezetimibe:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ezetimibe or any other medications.
• tell your doctor if you have active liver disease or if you have ever had liver problems.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cholestyramine, gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor, Lofibra), cyclosporine (Sandimune, Neoral),. Also, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal or homeopathic medications.
• tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions.
• tell your doctor if you are experiencing or have experienced recently any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.

Side Effects

Although side effects from ezetimibe are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the follow side effects:

• Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking ezetimibe with a statin medication and during treatment.)
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Feeling tired