Following consultation, a You Health provider determined that Ezetimibe is medically appropriate and necessary for your treatment.

Ezetimibe

The following provides a medication overview of ezetimibe, how the active ingredient works, and how to effectively and safely use it to support your cardiovascular health. You will also receive a physical document called a medication guide or patient drug information in the package with your medication when it arrives from the pharmacy, which contains full information about ezetimibe. Please read all of the information, specific to the medication(s) you were prescribed, before taking your medication. If you’re not sure which medication you were prescribed, please reference the label on your prescription bottle or contact a member of your Care Team. 

In this medication overview you will find more information for the following:

  • Usage

    How to get the most out of your treatment

  • Side Effects

    What to look out for when using your treatment

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about your treatment

  • Warnings

    Important safety information

Usage

To get started, review the directions on your prescription label and follow your provider's dosing instructions.

  • How does ezetimibe work?

    Ezetimibe works in the small intestine by blocking a specific protein. By doing this, it reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from your diet and prevents the cholesterol from entering the bloodstream. Ezetimbe can be used alone or is also sometimes used in combination with a statin medication to lower cholesterol levels.

  • How should I take/use ezetimibe?

    Take ezetimibe tablets by mouth once daily at any time of the day. Ezetimibe may be taken with or without food and may be administered with a statin (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin) in some patients. If you take a medicine called a bile acid sequestrant, take ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after you take the bile acid sequestrant.

  • What if I miss a dose of ezetimibe?

    If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses of ezetimibe at the same time. 

  • What should I expect during treatment with ezetimibe/How to get the most out of treatment?

    You might not feel any different right away when you start taking ezetimibe—and that is normal. Rather, ezetimibe works quietly in the background, helping to protect your cardiovascular health over time. Consistent adherence to the use of ezetimibe, along with heart-healthy lifestyle changes, can help reduce cardiovascular risks to your health.  Regular monitoring of your health, including cholesterol levels, helps make sure you are getting the most out of ezetimibe therapy.

  • Can I drink alcohol while using ezetimibe?

    It is generally considered safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking ezetimibe alone, as there are no known direct interactions. However, alcohol use while taking ezetimibe in combination with a statin therapy should be limited to moderate drinking, because it puts added demand on your liver. This significantly increases the risk of liver damage and other side effects.

  • Can I take cannabis while taking this medication?

    You should consult your primary care provider before using cannabis with ezetimibe, as there is a potential for interactions and increased side effects, particularly related to the liver.

Side Effects

  • Common side effects of ezetimibe may include:

    • Runny nose, sore throat 

    • Muscle aches and pains, back pain

    • Upper respiratory tract infection

    • Joint pain, pain in arms or legs

    • Diarrhea

    • Flu-like symptoms

    • Feeling tired

  • Rare but serious side effects:

    • Muscle pain, tenderness and weakness (myopathy). Muscle problems, including muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), can happen.

  • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have:

    • unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or feel more tired than usual while you take ezetimibe 

    • muscle problems that do not go away after your healthcare provider has told you to stop taking ezetimibe. Your healthcare provider may do further tests to diagnose the cause of your muscle problems. 

  • Your chances of getting muscle problems are higher if you: 

    • are taking certain other medicines, such as statins or fibrates, while you take ezetimibe  

    • Increased liver enzymes. An increase in liver enzymes can happen in people taking ezetimibe alone or with statins. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking ezetimibe and during treatment if you have symptoms of liver problems while you take ezetimibe. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

      • feel unusually tired or weak

      • loss of appetite

      • upper belly pain

      • dark urine

      • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

    If you notice any of these side effects, stop taking the medication and seek urgent medical care. 

    These are not all the side effects of ezetimibe.  For more information, read the drug information that comes with your compounded medication, ask your healthcare provider, or ask your pharmacist. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You are encouraged to report all side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If my cholesterol is normal now, do I still need to take ezetimibe?

    Yes. Your cholesterol levels are likely well controlled due to your medication. Managing cholesterol is typically a long-term strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk.

    Ezetimibe works by blocking some of the cholesterol your body absorbs from food in your intestines. This helps lower the amount of cholesterol reaching your liver, which in turn pulls more cholesterol out of your bloodstream. These positive benefits continue only while you are taking the medication. If you stop taking ezetimibe, your body will begin absorbing more cholesterol again and your cholesterol levels may rise over time, potentially increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Warnings

  • What should I avoid while taking ezetimibe?

    Do not take ezetimibe if you:

    • have liver problems, such as alcohol related liver disease, cirrhosis, or hepatitis

    • are pregnant planning to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant

    • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

    • take certain statins such as simvastatin, fenofibrate, or other cholesterol lowering medicines if your healthcare provider has told you not to take them

    • are allergic or have had an anaphylactic reaction to ezetimibe or to any of the following inactive ingredients in ezetimibe: lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, Hypromelose, sodium lauryl sulfate, crospovidone, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate

      • Stop using ezetimibe and get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including:

        • swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat

        • problems breathing or swallowing

        • fainting or feeling dizzy

        • very rapid heartbeat

        • severe skin rash, hives and itching

        • flu-like symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, tiredness, and joint pain

  • Before you take ezetimibe, tell your healthcare provider if you:

    • have unexplained muscle aches or weakness

    • have or have had liver problems

    • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Ezetimibe may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking ezetimibe and contact your care team right away

    • are breastfeeding. It is not known if ezetimibe passes into your breast milk

  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Ezetimibe  and certain other medicines can increase the risk of muscle problems or other side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

    • cyclosporine, voclosporin (a medicine for your immune system)

    • fibrates, such as fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, bezafibrate, ciprofibrate (medicine for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides)

    • bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine, colestipol, and colesevelam (medicine for lowering LDL-C) 

    • bulevirtide (a medicine to treat hepatitis C)

    • ceftobiprole medocaril (antibiotic medicine used to treat certain infections)

    • eltrombopag (a medicine used to treat thrombocytopenia)

    • belumosudil (a medicine used to treat chronic graft-verses-host disease)

    • teriflunomide (a medicine used to treat relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis)

    • leflunomide (a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis)

    • leniolisib (a medicine used to treat APDS)

    • encorafenib (a medicine used to treat melanoma, lung cancer, and colon cancer)

    • rilzabrutinib (a medicine used to treat immune thrombocytopenia)

    • darolutamide (a medicine for the treatment of prostate cancer)

  • Certain medications can raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Because of this, it’s important to talk with your primary care provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

    • Glucocorticoids (prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone)

    • Retinoids (isotretinoin, acitretin, bexarotene)

    • Thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide)

    • Beta blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol)

    • Atypical antipsychotics (such as olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)

    • Progestogens (medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, levonorgestrel)

    • Oral estrogens (ethinyl estradiol, conjugated estrogens)

    • Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus)

    Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines if you are not sure. Know all the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and add to the list when you get a new medicine.

  • Medication disposal

    If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.

    If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:

    • Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;

    • Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;

    • Throw away the container in your trash at home; and

    • Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.

  • KEEP EZETIMIBE OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

    This is only a summary of the most important information about ezetimibe.

    Need more information? Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

    Telemedicine Disclosure