EZETIMIBE - ORAL
Common Brand Name(s): Zetia
Phonetic Pronunciation: (eh-ZET-ih-mibe)
Information last revised May 2010
What does EZETIMIBE - ORAL look like?
Zetia 10 mg Tab
Uses:
This medication is used either alone or with other drugs (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or "statins"), along with a low cholesterol/low fat diet, to help lower cholesterol in the blood. Reducing cholesterol helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. Ezetimibe works by reducing the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from your diet.
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.
How To Use
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth usually once daily with or without food. If you are also taking a bile acid sequestrant (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol), take ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after the bile acid sequestrant. It may take up to 2 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use 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.
Drug Interactions
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: cyclosporine, fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate, gemfibrozil). This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., 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. For best results, this medication should be used along with exercise and a low cholesterol/low fat diet. Consult your doctor.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
Precautions
Before taking ezetimibe, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used along with a statin agent if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease (moderate to severe). This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage from 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines 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.
Side Effects
Dizziness, headache, diarrhea, back pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: chest pain, fatigue, stomach pain. This drug can very rarely cause muscle damage. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience the following: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
The information contained in the First DataBank databases is intended to supplement the knowledge of physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy problems and patient counselling information. This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgment in the delivery of healthcare services. First DataBank disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, and suitability of this information for any purpose.
Copyright 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
