Zetia

(ezetimibe)

●●●●●
3.3/ 5 average rating with 128 reviewsforZetia
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Lowers cholesterol.

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Our bottom line

Zetia (ezetimibe) can improve your cholesterol and can be used as an alternative to statins.

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Quick facts about Zetia
  • Drug class: Cardiovascular
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (ezetimibe)

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.
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What to expect from Zetia, on one page

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People’s experience with Zetia

128reviews so far. What do you think?

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.
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What to expect from Zetia, on one page

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How it works

Zetia (ezetimibe) is a cholesterol-lowering medicine. It stops your body from absorbing cholesterol in food and helps process other forms of cholesterol.

Quick facts about Zetia
  • Drug class: Cardiovascular
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (ezetimibe)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
People’s experience with Zetia

128reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Zetia (ezetimibe) for High cholesterol

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Diarrhea
  • Limb pain
  • Tiredness
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Side effect rates for Zetia (ezetimibe)

From 3555 clinical trials of Zetia when taken for high cholesterol
  • Diarrhea
    4%4%
    4%4%
  • Common cold
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Sore throat
    4%4%
  • Sinus infection
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Joint pain
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Pain in arms and legs
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Diarrhea
    3%3%
  • Common cold
    3%3%
  • Muscle pain
    3%3%
  • Abnormal liver tests
    3%3%
  • Fatigue
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Flu
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Fatigue
    2%2%
  • Flu
    2%2%
  • Joint pain
    2%2%
  • Back pain
    2%2%
  • Pain in arms and legs
    2%2%
  • Gallbladder removal
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Zetia.

Zetia (ezetimibe)
Placebo

People taking Zetia felt side effect more

People taking Zetia felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Zetia (ezetimibe)

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  • Talk to your doctor if you're taking Zetia (ezetimibe) and want to get pregnant

Pharmacist Q&A

Zetia (ezetimibe) questions for

Frequently Asked Questions

This medication treats high cholesterol in individuals with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Who is this drug for?

This medication treats high cholesterol in individuals with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Common concerns from people taking Zetia (ezetimibe)

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Pregnancy

Research studies with animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. It hasn’t been properly studied in humans. The benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.

See the FDA package insertSee pregnancy safe medications
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.
FDA pregnancy category for Zetia
CWeigh risks vs. benefits
Kidneys and liver
  • Zetia (ezetimibe) can hurt your liver, especially if it is used with statins. Talk to your doctor if you have liver disease.