Zetia Oral

Uses

This medication is used either alone or with other drugs (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or "statins"), along with a low cholesterol/low fat diet, to help lower cholesterol in the blood. Reducing cholesterol helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Ezetimibe works by reducing the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from your diet.

How to use Zetia Oral

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth usually once daily with or without food.

If you are also taking a bile acid sequestrant (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol), take ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after the bile acid sequestrant.

It may take up to 2 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day.

It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol do not feel sick.

Before taking ezetimibe, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used along with a statin agent if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease (moderate to severe).

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES:

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., cholesterol levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress. When ezetimibe is given with a statin agent, liver function tests should be performed to monitor for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

For best results, this medication should be used along with exercise and a low cholesterol/low fat diet. Consult your doctor.

MISSED DOSE:

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage from 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Dizziness, headache, diarrhea, back pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: chest pain, fatigue, stomach pain.

This drug can very rarely cause muscle damage. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience the following: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness).

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: cyclosporine, fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate, gemfibrozil).

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.