ZETIA (Ezetimibe) is prescribed by the physicians for the patients with Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol level in blood) and mixed Hyperlipidemia. ZETIA (Ezetimibe) acts on the chorionic villi (brush borders) of the intestine by inhibiting the absorption of the cholesterol from the food in the intestine. As a negative feed back mechanism, ZETIA (Ezetimibe) causes the down regulation of the synthesis and transportation of the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), which can prevent the incidence of Atherosclerosis and other coronary artery diseases. Hence ZETIA (Ezetimibe) can be useful in the treatment of homozygous sitosterolemia. But the beneficial effect of ZETIA (Ezetimibe) is achieved completely when it is used concomitantly with diet, exercise and with statins.
Who should not take ZETIA (Ezetimibe)?
You should not take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) if you have existing thyroid diseases, Liver diseases and Kidney diseases. If you have unexplained high levels of Liver Transaminases levels, you should not take ZETIA (Ezetimibe). If you are taking drugs like the blood thinners like the Warfarin, birth control pills, gemfibrozil, colestipol, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, colesevelam you should not take ZETIA (Ezetimibe). You should not take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) along with statins, while you are pregnant. According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ZETIA (Ezetimibe) is classified as the Pregnancy Category – C drug, and the effect on unborn foetus is unknown. ZETIA (Ezetimibe) will cross to the breast feeding infant by the mother’s milk hence it should be avoided by the nursing mothers. If you are known allergic to ZETIA (Ezetimibe), you should not take with out consulting your physician.
ZETIA (Ezetimibe) Side Effects:
ZETIA (Ezetimibe) may sometimes cause serious side effects like increased Gamma Glutamyl Transferase levels, arthralgia, hypersensitivity reactions like urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis, gastro-intestinal disturbances with myalgia, fatigue, headache, upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, pain in the upper extremities, diarrhoea, nasopharyngitis, influenza. Other rare complications of ZETIA (Ezetimibe) are cholelithiasis, increased creatine kinase levels, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, thrombocytopenia, myopathy, and rhabdomyolysis. In very cases, the anti-hypercholesterolemic drugs in combination with ZETIA (Ezetimibe) can cause break down of skeletal muscle tissues which can lead to the kidney failure in many patients
How should I take ZETIA (Ezetimibe)?
The recommended adult dosage for the ZETIA (Ezetimibe) is 10 mg once daily. ZETIA (Ezetimibe) can be administered alone or along with the statins for the additive effect with the ZETIA (Ezetimibe) to get the beneficial results in the Hypercholesterolemia and mixed Hyperlipidemia. You should take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) for at least for 4 – 8 weeks if taken alone and in combination of anti-hypercholesterolemic drugs like statins and fibrate that will improve the symptoms. The following instruction should be followed to take the ZETIA (Ezetimibe) – 10 mg once daily: (1) Take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything except plain water. 2) Take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) while you are sitting or standing up. 3) Take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) with 6 to 8 ounces (about 1 cup) of plain water. Do not take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) with any other drink besides plain water. Do not take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) with coffee, tea, juice, milk or other dairy drinks. 4) Swallow ZETIA (Ezetimibe) as a whole. Do not chew the tablet or keep ZETIA (Ezetimibe) in your mouth to melt or dissolve. After taking ZETIA (Ezetimibe) you must wait at least 30 minutes BEFORE: 1) lying down. You may sit, stand, or do normal activities like read the newspaper or take a walk. 2) Eating or drinking anything except plain water.
Keep taking ZETIA (Ezetimibe) for as long as your health care provider tells you to do so. To treat your problems or keep you away from getting these symptoms, you have to take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) as often and in the way ZETIA (Ezetimibe) as prescribed by your Physician.
What is the important information I should know about ZETIA (Ezetimibe)?
Take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
You can take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) anytime disregard of the food intake. But most of the Physicians prefer the patients to take the ZETIA (Ezetimibe) at least half an hour before the food intake. ZETIA (Ezetimibe) is more effectively absorbed in an empty stomach.
ZETIA (Ezetimibe) is only a partial treatment of the Hypercholesterolemia and mixed Hyperlipidemia and the effective treatment is achieved along with changes in the life style like diet, exercise and changes in sedentary life style.
For ZETIA (Ezetimibe) dosage one must follow his doctor's instructions.
If you are a child bearing aged woman, you should use an effective contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while using ZETIA (Ezetimibe) along with statin therapy.
It is important to take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) regularly to get the most benefit, as directed by the Physician.
If you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or fatigue, stop taking ZETIA (Ezetimibe) and consult your doctor immediately.
Avoid high cholesterol foods while taking ZETIA (Ezetimibe).
Do not stop taking ZETIA (Ezetimibe) without first talking to your doctor, even if you are feeling well. Even after your symptoms improve, you may require continuous treatment for quite some time, as directed by the Physician.
Store ZETIA (Ezetimibe) as per the instructions on the label.
If you are taking ZETIA (Ezetimibe) for 4 – 8 weeks of duration, you can check your serum lipid profile before and after your treatment to confirm the benefits of ZETIA (Ezetimibe).
Children below the age of twelve must not use ZETIA (Ezetimibe) without consulting the health care provider.
Keep ZETIA (Ezetimibe) away from the reach of the children and pets.
What happens if I miss a dose of ZETIA (Ezetimibe)?
Take the missed dose of ZETIA (Ezetimibe) as soon as you remember, during the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take ZETIA (Ezetimibe) next day as routine dose. Do not take a double dose of the medication which can lead to serious adverse effects.
What happens if I overdose of ZETIA (Ezetimibe)?
No specific anti-dote for ZETIA (Ezetimibe) is available, in case of over dose. But if you feel any abnormal symptoms, please seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Where can I get more information on ZETIA (Ezetimibe)?
ZETIA (Ezetimibe) prescribed patients, who try to place an order for ZETIA (Ezetimibe) from an online pharmacy store, can place their prescription order at the CanadaDrugsOnline.com which is an online Canadian pharmacy store.
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