Ezetimibe is among the many cholesterol-lowering medications your doctor may prescribe to reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. A fairly new medication, receiving its approval from the FDA in 2009, ezetimibe is most effective for lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol level.
Function
Ezetimibe, brand name Zetia, is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. It prevents your body from absorbing the cholesterol you ingest, thus reducing your cholesterol levels. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute notes that ezetimibe lowers LDL cholesterol between 18 and 25 percent. It can be taken with any statin, another cholesterol-lowering medication, for more effective results. One statin in particular -- simvastatin -- is pharmaceutically combined with ezetimibe, resulting in Vytorin, another cholesterol lowering drug. This decreases your absorption of dietary cholesterol while slowing cholesterol production, offering you the best of both drugs.
Taking Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe comes in a 10 mg dose, which is usually taken once a day at the same time each day. You can take it with or without food; follow the instructions of your doctor. Drugs.com warns not to take ezetimibe with bile acid resins, another class of cholesterol-lowering drugs. You must leave a four hour window between the two. It is safe to take ezetimibe with fibrates, another type of cholesterol medication. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose.
Possible Side Effects
Although ezetimibe is generally well-tolerated by most people, you may experience mild side effects until your body adjusts. These include feeling numb or tingly, tired or dizzy, or having joint or back pain, diarrhea, headache or feeling depressed. If these side effects do not subside, speak to your doctor. More serious side effects include muscle weakness or pain, chest pain, fever and sore throat accompanied with blistering, nausea, loss of appetite and yellowing of your skin or eyes. These require immediate medical attention.
Efficacy
Ezetimibe is not a miracle cure for lowering your cholesterol, and as Drugs.com points out, is part of a complete cholesterol-lowering plan that includes diet and exercise. It can take up to two weeks for this drug to make an impact on your cholesterol levels. Only your doctor can determine if this medication is right for you by checking your cholesterol levels. You must visit him regularly; make your health a priority and do not miss any appointments.
