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Ezetimibe
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Description
Ezetimibe is used to reduce the amount of cholesterol and fatty substances in the blood. It is either used alone or in combination with other cholesterol lowering medicines. Patients are advised to follow a strict exercise and diet regimen along with this medicine to get the best possible effect.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ezetimibe
Headache
Dizziness
Sore throat
Runny Nose
Sneezing
Joint pain
Itching
Loss of appetite
Fever
Cough
Stomach pain
Uses of Ezetimibe
What is it prescribed for?
Hyperlipidemia
This medicine is used to reduce abnormally high levels of lipids in the blood.
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
This medicine is used in the management of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, a hereditary condition characterized by high blood cholesterol and lipid levels.
Sitosterolemia
This medicine is used in the management of sitosterolemia, a hereditary condition characterized by the accumulation of plant sterols in the blood and tissues.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.Duration of effect
The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendencies were reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on the clinical condition.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on the clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to ezetimibe or any other ingredients present along with it.
Chronic liver disease
The combination of Ezetimibe with a statin is contraindicated in patients with an active liver disease or unexplained persistent hepatic transaminase elevation.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on the clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on the clinical condition.
General warnings
Coumarin Anticoagulants
This medicine should be used with caution in patients receiving coumarin anticoagulants such as warfarin due to the increased risk of bleeding. Close monitoring of International Normalized Ratio (INR) is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on the clinical condition.
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women due to the increased risk of fetal harm.
Pediatric use
The safety and efficacy of Ezetimibe have not been clinically established in children less than 10 years of age.
Rhabdomyolysis
This medicine may cause rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition characterized by weakness and tenderness of muscles. Any symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness should be reported to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Ezetimibe is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Cyclosporine
Cholestyramine
Fenofibrate
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Ezetimibe as instructed by the doctor. Do not take larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Ezetimibe works by reducing or stopping the absorption of cholesterol through the small intestine.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
Schedule
N/A
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 23 August 2017]. Available from:
Ezetimibe tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 23 August 2017]. Available from:
Ezetimibe: DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 23 August 2017]. Available from:
Ezetimibe: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 23 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 23 August 2017]. Available from:
Toxnet [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 23 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 May 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.