Compare Zetia vs. simvastatin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers cholesterol.
Zetia (ezetimibe) can improve your cholesterol and can be used as an alternative to statins.
●●●●●
3.3/ 5 average rating with 128 reviewsforZetia
Lowers cholesterol.
Zocor (simvastatin) is a good medication to improve your cholesterol.
●●●●●
3.8/ 5 average rating with 1176 reviewsforsimvastatin
Upsides
- Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) in people who have trouble doing this through diet and exercise.
- Can be used with other medicines to improve cholesterol.
- Available in a combination pill with simvastatin.
- Available as a generic.
- Can lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death, particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or a history of smoking.
- Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (fats) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) in people who have trouble doing this through diet and exercise.
- Available in generic.
- Available in combination pills with other cholesterol medicines.
Downsides
- Doesn't lower triglycerides (fats).
- Hasn't been shown to lower the risk of heart attacks or heart disease.
- By itself, it isn't as effective as statins for improving cholesterol.
- You are at higher risk for side effects if you are female, are 65 years or older, drink alcohol every day, or have liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.
- Not safe to use if you're pregnant.
- Can have more drug interactions than some other drugs in the same class (statins).
Used for
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Heart attack and stroke prevention
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$21.49
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$264.25
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
128 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
34%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zetia (ezetimibe)?
Leave a review1176 reviews so far
61%
saidit'sworth it
48%
saiditworked well
14%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zocor (simvastatin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
12possible side effects
- Diarrhea4%
- Common cold4%
- Sore throat4%
- Sinus infection3%
- Joint pain3%
- Pain in arms and legs3%
- Muscle pain3%
- Abnormal liver tests3%
- Fatigue2%
- Flu2%
- Back pain2%
- Gallbladder removal2%
14possible side effects
- Bronchitis7%
- Abdominal pain6%
- Atrial fibrillation6%
- Stomach problems5%
- Balance problems5%
- Eczema5%
- Diabetes4%
- Muscle pain4%
- Insomnia4%
- Edema/swelling3%
- Headache3%
- Infection, urinary tract3%
- Constipation2%
- Sinus infection2%
Risks and risk factors
- Harm to fetus
- Muscle pain
- Taking Zetia (ezetimibe) with statins
- Abnormal liver blood tests
- Past history of liver disease
- Taking Zetia (ezetimibe) with statins
- Muscle pain and kidney damage
- Kidney disease
- High dose of Zocor (simvastatin)
- Combining Zocor (simvastatin) with other cholesterol-lowering drugs
- Older age
- Female gender
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- History of chronic liver disease
- Harm to unborn baby
- Pregnancy
- Breast feeding
- Drug interactions
- Certain drugs can increase the dose of Zocor (simvastatin) in the body
- High blood sugar
- History of high blood sugar