EZETIMIBE (Systemic)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
Description
Ezetimibe (e-ZET-e-mibe)is used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat-like substances) levelsin the blood. Using this medicine may help prevent medical problems causedby such substances clogging the blood vessels.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage forms:
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ezetimibe, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusualor allergic reaction to ezetimibe. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist ifyou are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, ordyes.
Pregnancy?Ezetimibe has not been studied in pregnant women.However, studies in animals have shown that ezetimibe may cause birth defectsor other problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knowsif you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known if ezetimibe passes into humanbreast milk. However, it should not be used during breast-feeding becauseit may cause serious unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Children?This medicine has been tested in children and,in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects orproblems than it does in adults. This medicine should only be used in children10 years of age or older.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of ezetimibe in the elderly with use in other age groups, thismedicine has been used in elderly patients and is not expected to cause differentside effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of ezetimibe. Make sure you tell your doctor ifyou have any other medical problems, especially:
- Liver disease (or history of) or
- Liver enzymes, persistently high levels?Use of this medicinemay make liver problems worse
Proper Use of This Medicine
Beforeprescribing medicine for your condition, your doctor will probably try tocontrol your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a dietmay be low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Many people are able to controltheir condition by carefully following their doctor's orders for proper dietand exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additionalhelp is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exerciseis properly followed.
Also, this medicine is less effective if you are greatly overweight. Itmay be very important for you to go on a weight-reducing diet. However, checkwith your doctor before going on any diet.
Dosing?The dose of ezetimibe will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of ezetimibe. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Follow carefully the special diet your doctor gave you. This is the mostimportant part of controlling your condition and is necessary if the medicineis to work properly.
Also, the number of doses you take each day, the timeallowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine dependon the medical problem for which you are taking ezetimibe.
- For tablet dosage form:
- For high cholesterol:
- Adults: 10 milligrams (mg) once daily. May take with or without food.
- Children up to 10 years of age?Use is not recommended.
- Children 10 years of age and older?10 milligrams (mg) oncedaily. May take with or without food.
Missed dose? If you miss a dose of this medicine, take itas soon as possible. Do not take more than one dose per day.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask yourhealth care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do notuse. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check you at regularvisits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is workingproperly to lower your cholesterol. Your doctor can then decide if you shouldcontinue to take it.
Check with your doctor immediately if you think that you may be pregnant.Certain cholesterol medications may cause birth defects or other problemsin the baby if taken during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness,or weakness
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor.It is very important that you take all of your medicine. Your doctor willdiscuss with you any changes in your medicine. Ask your doctor if you haveany questions.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Frequency not determined
Abdominal fullness; black tarry stools; bleeding gums; bloating; blood in urine or stools; chills; constipation; darkenedurine; fast heartbeat; fever; gaseous abdominal pain; general tiredness and weakness; indigestion; large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat,hands, legs, feet, sex organs; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; musclecramps and spasms; muscular tenderness, wasting orweakness; nausea; painsin stomach, side or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back; pinpoint red spots on skin; recurrentfever; severe nausea; skinrash; unusual bleeding or bruising; upper right abdominal pain; vomiting; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects may occur that usuallydo not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome.
Less common
Back pain; body aches or pain; chest pain; chills; cold or flu-like symptoms; congestion; coughing; diarrhea; difficulty in moving; dizziness; dryness or soreness of throat; hoarseness; muscle pain or stiffness; pain in joints; pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; stomach pain; stuffy nose; tender, swollen glands in neck; tightness of chestor wheezing; trouble in swallowing; unusual tiredness or weakness; voicechanges
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 06/13/2003
Revised: 07/13/2005
