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Description:
Chemical Name: EZETIMIBE (eh-ZET-eh-mib) ZETIA is a prescription medication that reduces the level of cholesterol or other sterols that are absorbed by your body from your diet. It works alongside a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet to control high cholesterol. Some physicians may also prescribe ZETIA with other cholesterol-lowering medications to treat high blood sitosterol and campesterol. This medication is intended as part of a treatment program that includes a low-cholesterol diet along with exercise and weight control.
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Directions:
ZETIA should be used exactly as prescribed by your physician. Patient should follow the prescription label instructions for safe use. Do not take in excess amounts, or take it for longer than recommended.
Generally, ZETIA is taken once a day, with or without food. It is recommended to take this medication at the same time each day. ZETIA is intended as part of a treatment program that includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Do not take ZETIA with:
- cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran)
- colestipol (Colestid)
- colesevelam (Welchol)
Patients are advised to wait at least 4 hours after taking any of these medicines, before taking ZETIA. Alternately, patients may take ZETIA 2 hours before taking any of these other medication.
ZETIA can be taken with:
- fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, Lofibra, TriCor, Triglide)
- any of the "statin" drugs (Mevacor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lescol or Lipitor)
The effects of this medication may take up to 2 weeks to realize. For optimal results, continue using ZETIA as directed.
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Side Effects:
All medications have side effects and they affect every patient differently. Side effects information will be included with your medication once you pick it up from the pharmacy.
Common side effects include:
- dizziness
- headache
- upset stomach
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- flu-like symptoms
- upper respiratory infection
- sinusitis
Some patients may also suffer from allergic reactions including hives, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing and skin rash.
Serious side effects include:
- liver problems
- myopathy
- rhabdomyolysis, causing muscle weakness
- extreme fatigue
- muscle pain
- pancreatitis
This is not a complete list of ZETIA side effects. Call your physician for medical advice about additional side effects you may experience.
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