Ezetimibe: Side Effects, Uses & Monitoring

Facts extracted from current FDA product labeling for Ezetimibe. Educational only — not medical advice.

Reported adverse reactions

ReactionHighest frequency reported*
Upper respiratory tract infection4.3%
Diarrhea4.1%
Nasopharyngitis3.7%
Myalgia3.2%
Arthralgia3%
Sinusitis2.8%
Pain in extremity2.7%
Fatigue2.4%
Back pain2.4%
Influenza2%

*Highest percentage across placebo-controlled trial tables summarized in current labeling.

Labeled uses

Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Drug therapy is indicated as an adjunct to diet when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate. 1.1 Primary Hyperlipidemia Monotherapy ZETIA1 , administered alone, is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated total cholesterol (total-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hyperlipidemia. 1 COPYRIGHT © 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008 Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals. All rights reserved. Combination Therapy with HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) ZETIA, administered in combination with a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (statin), is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated total-C, LDL-C, and Apo B in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hyperlipidemia. Combinati…

Source: FDA labeling via NIH DailyMed (set cb18564f…). Not affiliated with FDA or NIH.

Medical disclaimer: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about any medication.