Zetia reduces the amount of cholesterol or other sterols that your body absorbs from your diet.
rnZetia is used to treat high cholesterol, along with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. It is sometimes given with other cholesterol-lowering medications. It is also used to treat high blood sitosterol and campesterol along with diet therapy.
The health and medical information provided here is for general purposes only and is not a substitute for the expertise and judgment of your physician, or other health care professional. It should not be understood to indicate that the use of this medicine is safe, appropriate or effective for you. Always consult your health care professional before using this, or any other, drug.
Zetia is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
rnSome cholesterol medications should not be taken at the same time. Do not take Zetia with cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam (Welchol). Wait at least 4 hours after taking any of these medicines before you take Zetia. You may also take Zetia 2 hours before taking any of these other medicines.
rnZetia may be taken at the same time with fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, Lofibra, TriCor, Triglide), or with any of the "statin" drugs such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol).
rnIn rare cases, cholesterol-lowering medication can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Zetia: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
rnCall your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
rnunusual muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain;
rnnausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
rnchest pain;
rnpancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate); or/p>
rnfever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.
rnLess serious Zetia side effects may include:
rnnumbness or tingly feeling;
rnmild stomach pain, diarrhea;
rntired feeling;
rnheadache;
rndizziness;
rndepressed mood;
rnrunny or stuffy nose, cold symptoms;
rnjoint pain, back pain; or
rncough.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
rnZetia is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Try to take Zetia at the same time each day.
rnSome cholesterol medications should not be taken at the same time. Do not take Zetia with cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam (Welchol). Wait at least 4 hours after taking any of these medicines before you take Zetia. You may also take Zetia 2 hours before taking any of these other medicines.
rnZetia may be taken at the same time with fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, Lofibra, TriCor, Triglide), or with any of the "statin" drugs such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), or atorvastatin (Lipitor).
rnIt may take up to 2 weeks of using this medicine before your cholesterol levels improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Your cholesterol will need to be measured using blood tests at regular intervals. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
rnZetia is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
