Why is this medication
prescribed?
Ezetimibe
is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake)
to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in the
blood. It may be used alone or in combination with an HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitor (statin). Ezetimibe is in a class of medications called
cholesterol-lowering medications. It works by preventing the absorption
of cholesterol in the intestine. Buildup of cholesterol and fats along
the walls of the blood vessels (a process known as atherosclerosis)
decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to the heart,
brain, and other parts of the body. Lowering blood levels of
cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest
pain), strokes, and heart attacks.
How should this medicine be
used?
Ezetimibe
comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with
or without food. To help you remember to take ezetimibe, take it around
the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription
label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part
you do not understand. Take ezetimibe exactly as directed. Do not take
more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Continue
to take ezetimibe even if you feel well. Do not stop taking ezetimibe
without talking to your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
This
medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or
pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions
should I follow?
Before
taking ezetimibe,
- tell your doctor and
pharmacist if you are allergic to ezetimibe or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and
pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to
mention any of the following: cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune),
fenofibrate (TriCor), and gemfibrozil (Lopid). Your doctor may need to
change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side
effects.
- if you are taking
cholestyramine (Questran), colesevelam (WellChol), or colestipol
(Colestid), take it 4 hours before or 2 hours after ezetimibe.
- tell your doctor if you have
or have ever had liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are
pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become
pregnant while taking ezetimibe, call your doctor.
What special dietary
instructions should I follow?
Eat a
low-cholesterol, low-fat diet. This kind of diet includes cottage
cheese, fat-free milk, fish (not canned in oil), vegetables, poultry,
egg whites, and polyunsaturated oils and margarines (corn, safflower,
canola, and soybean oils). Avoid foods with excess fat in them such as
meat (especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream,
butter, shortening, lard, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut
butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese (other than
cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and fried foods.
What should I do if I forget a
dose?
Take
the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost
time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular
dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this
medication cause?
Ezetimibe
may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:
- headache
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- sore throat
- runny nose
- sneezing
- joint pain
- muscle pain
Some
side effects can be serious. The following symptom is uncommon, but if
you experience it, call your doctor immediately:
Ezetimibe
may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual
problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are
needed for this medicine?
Keep
this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of
reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess
heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that
is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the
proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case
of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency
services at 911.
What other information should
I know?
Keep
all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will
order certain lab tests before and during treatment to check your
body's response to ezetimibe.
Do not
let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions
you have about refilling your prescription.
