Zetia: Benefits and Side Effects You Need to Know
Category: Drug Information
Millions of Americans suffer from high cholesterol, which can increase their risk of heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol doesn’t have to be a death sentence, though. It’s easily treated with prescription drugs like Zetia.
These cholesterol medications are effective for enhancing your health, but you must discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before starting your course.
Like all pharmaceuticals, Zetia may react with other medications you’re taking or cause some unpleasant side effects.
Read on for an overview of the pros and cons of Zetia for managing cholesterol.
What Is Zetia?
Zetia is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat high cholesterol in adults and even some children. Doctors can prescribe Zetia as a treatment for the following:
- Homozygous sitosterolemia
- Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
- Mixed hyperlipidemia
- Primary hyperlipidemia
Zetia is a white, oval-shaped tablet embossed with the number ‘414’ on one side. It is available in 10 mg tablets with the following ingredients:
- 10 mg of Ezetimibe
- Croscarmellose Sodium NF
- Lactose Monohydrate NF
- Magnesium Stearate NF
- Microcrystalline Cellulose NF
- Povidone USP
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate NF
You can check the latest approved label for Zetia on the FDA website.
Ezetimibe is the active ingredient in Zetia. This white powder acts by inhibiting the production of cholesterol in your intestines. This decreases the amount of cholesterol stored in your liver, helping it remove cholesterol from the bloodstream faster.
Cholesterol-lowering medication always works best with a low-cholesterol diet and exercise program.
Zetia Dosage Information
Zetia is usually prescribed to be taken orally at a dose of 10 mg per day, i.e., one tablet at the same time every day, with or without food. Your doctor may prescribe additional medications to complement Zetia’s action.
Some doctors prescribe fenofibrate alongside Zetia. They might also prescribe statin medications like:
- Atorvastatin
- Lovastatin
- Simvastatin
- Pravastatin
- Fluvastatin
You should store Zetia at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
Always follow your doctor’s instructions precisely, including any diet and exercise recommendations. Most doctors recommend frequent blood tests as part of your treatment, too.
You can expect to wait two weeks before you see an improvement in your cholesterol levels after starting to take Zetia.
The Pros and Cons of Zetia
Zetia has a well-documented safety profile and is well-suited to those who are struggling to maintain low cholesterol while following a healthy diet. It has the following main benefits:
- A lipid-lowering effect
- Works well when taken with other medications
- Does not affect your blood pressure
Your doctor always knows best when it comes to your health. However, there is also much additional research available on Ezetimibe’s benefits and risks to help you understand any side effects you experience when taking Zetia.
Zetia Side Effects
Most drugs will have side effects depending on your age, prevailing health conditions, and other medications you’re taking. Mild side effects associated with Zetia include:
- Respiratory or sinus infections
- Pain in your legs or arms
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
When you take Zetia with a statin or other cholesterol-lowering drug, you may also experience headaches.
These afflictions usually subside within a couple of weeks, but you should talk to your doctor if they are persistent and troublesome.
Taking Zetia can also produce more serious side effects, like:
Allergic Reaction
People may have a severe or mild allergic reaction to Ezetimibe. Mild symptoms include flushing, itchiness, or a skin rash.
In rare instances, they may experience more severe reactions like skin swellings on the lips, hands, feet, or eyelids. Sometimes the roof of your mouth, throat, and tongue may occur. This can hamper your breathing.
It’s important to call your doctor immediately if you experience any reaction to Zetia.
Liver Damage (when taken with a statin)
When taken in conjunction with other cholesterol-lowering medications, Zetia can cause increased liver enzyme levels, which may be a sign of liver damage.
Some symptoms of liver damage are:
- Belly pain
- Dark urine
- Vomiting or nausea
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes
Zetia does not cause liver damage on its own, but it can exacerbate the situation in combination with other factors.
Rhabdomyolysis or Muscle Damage
This is the most severe reaction you can experience when taking Zetia, and it can lead to death or permanent disability. It involves a breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle, which releases myoglobin (a protein that stores oxygen) and potassium into the bloodstream.
Left untreated, this may cause kidney damage and ultimately disrupt the electrical rhythm of your heart.
You are more likely to experience muscle problems when taking Zetia if you:
- Are over 65 years old
- Taking a high-dose statin
- Have kidney problems
- Have an underactive thyroid gland
Precautions and Contraindications
Zetia is only approved for patients over the age of 10. Additionally, you should not take Zetia if you have moderate to severe liver disease or if you are allergic to Ezetimibe.
The drug is not compatible with statin cholesterol medication, including Zocor, Lipitor, or Crestor.
You should not use Zetia with a “statin” cholesterol medicine (Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor, and others) if:
- You have active liver disease
- You are pregnant; or
- You are breastfeeding a baby.
Statins can cause muscle tissue breakdown, leading to kidney failure. This is most common in people with kidney disease or an underactive thyroid, as well as older adults.
If you are pregnant, have kidney or liver disease, or have unexplained muscle pain and weakness, you must mention this to your doctor when they prescribe Zetia.
It’s important to use birth control if you are using a statin medicine along with Zetia.
Order Zetia Online and Save
This brief overview of the pros and cons of Zetia can help you put your mind at ease if your doctor prescribes Zetia. However, it’s no substitute for your doctor’s advice regarding anything to do with your health.
Are you concerned about the cost of this prescription medication? Worry no more; Price Pro Pharmacy can help you find the best deals on Zetia.
A Zetia cost comparison on our website can help you find the best prices for your prescription. We can also assist you with the generic version of Zetia, i.e., Ezetimibe, which is more cost-effective than the brand-name drug.
Discover the most affordable route to optimum health with PricePro Pharmacy.
Works Cited:
https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
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https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=BasicSearch.process
