Ezetimibe
About
Ezetimibe belongs to the class of cholesterol-lowering medication primarily used to treat high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver to protect nerves, make tissue, and various hormones. Our body also receives cholesterol from food, like cooking oils, eggs, meats, and dairy products. There are two types of cholesterol, namely 'bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG)) and 'good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein (HDL)).
Ezetimibe contains Ezetimibe, which is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. It effectively lowers the amount of cholesterol in the blood by reducing cholesterol absorption in the intestine and lowering the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. Hence, reducing the chances of heart disease and making them healthier.
Take Ezetimibe as prescribed by your doctor. Depending on your medical condition, you are advised to take Ezetimibe for as long as your doctor prescribes it. The most common side effects of Ezetimibe are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, flatulence, tiredness, joint pain, and respiratory tract infection. They do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Ezetimibe may cause a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition usually occurs in the elderly, people with kidney disease, and poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Ezetimibe should not be prescribed to children less than ten years of age. You should contact a doctor before if you have had an allergic reaction to Ezetimibe, have liver or kidney problems, pregnant or planning to get pregnant, are breastfeeding, have severe lung disease, or have a previous heart attack or stroke caused by bleeding in the brain, have hypothyroidism, drink more than two servings of alcohol per day and have a muscle disorder (fibromyalgia). The efficiency of Ezetimibe can be increased by taking low-fat or cholesterol-containing food and drinks.
Uses of Ezetimibe
Medicinal Benefits
Ezetimibe contains a cholesterol-lowering medication primarily used to treat high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver to protect nerves, make tissue, and various hormones. Ezetimibe contains Ezetimibe, which is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. It effectively lowers the amount of cholesterol in the blood by reducing cholesterol absorption in the intestine and lowering the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. Hence, reducing the chances of heart disease and making them healthier.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ezetimibe
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Flatulence
- Feeling tired
- Joint pain
- Respiratory tract infection
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Ezetimibe if you are allergic to Ezetimibe or any of its ingredients. Ezetimibe should not be taken if you have liver or kidney disease or myopathy (muscle disease). If you are taking Ezetimibe with another cholesterol-lowering medication, especially statin, you should do a blood test to check liver enzymes. Do not take Ezetimibe along with other cholesterol-lowering medicines (cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol); take it either 4 hours before or 2 hours after Ezetimibe. To rule out any negative effects/interactions, keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all medications you take.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ezetimibe is known to interact with organ transplant medicine (cyclosporine), anti-coagulants (warfarin, phenprocoumon, fluindione), medications used to lower cholesterol (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin), and blood thinner medication (aspirin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Ezetimibe is known to interact with liver or kidney disease and myopathy (muscle disease).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeDo not drink too much while taking Ezetimibe. Drinking a lot of alcohol makes you more likely to get muscle and liver side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult the doctor. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor, and there is no substantial research yet on the use of Ezetimibe in breastfeeding/nursing mothers. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedEzetimibe will not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionEzetimibe to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of liver disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
cautionEzetimibe to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of kidney disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Children
cautionEzetimibe is not recommended for children below the age of 17 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try aromatherapy, yoga, and meditation to help relax your body and mind.
- Try to do breathing exercises to get more oxygen.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in soluble fibre like beans, legumes, whole grains, flax, apples, and citrus fruits.
- Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats that can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol quickly. Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts contain many heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so it’s beneficial to eat them regularly.
- Try to adopt a Mediterranean-style diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish, low in red meat and most dairy.
- Try to give priority to more fruits and veggies in your daily meal as these contain antioxidants that help to lower LDL
- Minimize the intake of added sugar. The American Heart Association (ADA) recommends one should not eat more than 100 calories (25 grams) of added sugar for women and children and no more than 150 calories (37.5 grams) for men every day.
- American Heart Association recommends sodium chloride intake (table salt) should not exceed more than 2,300 mg per day as part of a healthy eating pattern.
- As a precautionary measure, do not consume alcohol and quit smoking.
Special Advise
- A blood test is important to monitor liver enzymes if you are taking Ezetimibe along with a statin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver to protect nerves, make tissue, and various hormones. Our body also receives cholesterol from food, like cooking oils, eggs, meats, and dairy products. Excess cholesterol is bad for our health. There are two types of cholesterol, namely 'bad cholesterol' and 'good cholesterol. Bad cholesterol comprises low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG), while good cholesterol consists of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Usually, there are no specific symptoms of raised or high cholesterol levels but a large deposition of cholesterol in the arteries (plaque) or heart blockage. Blocked artery or plaque formation in the heart's arteries can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack, or stroke. So it is advisable to have complete cholesterol tests (lipid profile test) at least once a year. It will help you to closely monitor your heart health and risk of heart attack and stroke.
FAQs
Ezetimibe contains Ezetimibe, which is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. It effectively lowers cholesterol in the blood by reducing cholesterol absorption in the intestine and lowering bad cholesterol levels. Hence, reducing the chances of heart disease and making them healthier.
Ezetimibe, when used with another cholesterol-lowering medicine, especially statin, can cause an increase in liver enzymes. But if used alone, the chances of increased liver enzymes become very rare.
Ezetimibe is primarily used to treat blood cholesterol levels, so for best results, avoid food that is high in cholesterol, like chips, burgers, and fried food. Preferably eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet like home-cooked food.
People with liver or kidney disease or muscle weakness (myopathy) should avoid taking Ezetimibe as it might further worsen their condition.
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