Zetia, generic name ezetimibe, is currently a controversial medication used to treat high cholesterol. The FDA recently performed a study to determine if there is an increased cancer risk associated with another cholesterol medication Vytorin, which contains ezetimibe, the active ingredient in Zetia, along with simvastatin. However, that cancer risk has not been observed with the use of Zetia alone. Zetia belongs to the class of drugs that work by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. Pending other revisions by the FDA, the side effects and precautions for Zetia are as currently listed. Discuss all the pro and cons of taking Zetia with your health care provider.
Cholesterol Lowering Strategies
When cholesterol levels are elevated, fatty plaques build up along the artery walls causing a condition known as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke due to blocked arteries and reduced blood flow to the heart, brain and other organs. Lowering cholesterol can help prevent this from happening. Along with lifestyle changes, such as eating a low-fat diet and exercising more, cholesterol lowering medication can also employed. Zetia is often used in combination with the statin drug simvastatin, the active ingredient in the drug Zocor.
Liver Problems
Zetia has been associated with the development of abnormal liver enzymes in some taking it, particularly in combination with simvastatin. In 2007, "The New York Times" reported that the makers of Zetia, Plough-Schering and Merck, studied the drug for its ability to cause liver damage but stalled in publishing the results. The report states that some patients were dropped from the study after developing abnormal liver enzyme levels. Today, liver damage is listed as one of the serious side effects of taking Zetia, alone or in combination with a statin drug.
Side Effects
Along with liver problems, other serious side effects of Zetia include myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which cause muscle weakness, extreme fatigue and muscle pain. Zetia can cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas with symptoms of pain in the upper right abdomen. This drug can also produce flu-like symptoms, upper respiratory infection and sinusitis. Other side effects include dizziness, headache, stomach upset, loss of appetite and diarrhea. It is also possible to suffer an allergic reaction to Zetia; symptoms include hives, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing and a skin rash. In a post-marketing alert, the U.S. FDA warns it can also cause an allergic syndrome called erythema multiforme.
Interactions
Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medication and supplements you are taking because Zetia can interact with some other medications. According to Drugs.com, Zetia interacts with the anti-transplant medication cyclosporine and the anticoagulant warfarin. It also interacts with other cholesterol lowering medications, including gemfibrozil, fenofibrate and cholestyramine. If you have liver, kidney or gall bladder disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Zetia.
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