Commercial for Zetia
December 14th, 2008Zetia Side Effects
December 14th, 2008Like many prescription drugs, Zetia has side effects that’s associated with its use. Most cholesterol lowering drugs have side effects and Zetia is no different. The various side effects are listed below. This is important information to know, in the event that you plan on taking Zetia and wanted to have an idea as what to expect as it relates to side effects.
What are the Zetia side effects?
There are a wide range of side effects associated with the use of Zetia, these are indicated below.
- Dizziness
- headache,
- diarrhea,
- back pain may occur.
- tiredness and stomach pain. nausea and fever
- sexual dysfunction and performance problems, as well as
- memory loss,
- personality changes
- irritability.
Most people who use this medication usually have no serious side effects. When Doctors prescribe this drug, it is done with the intention that the benefit is far greater than the risks associated with the side effects. If any side effects are experienced with the use of Zetia then your doctor or pharmacist should be contacted immediately.
This drug can rarely cause muscle damage , however if you use Zetia and experience unexplained muscle pain or weakness could be a sign of a rare but serious side effect and should be reported to your doctor right away.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur Fatigue, chest pain, stomach pain muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). Allergic reaction with the use of Zetia is highly unlikely, however you should seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include but are not limited to rash, swelling, dizziness, itching and extreme trouble breathing. There have been reports that the use of Zetia has caused eye twitching and weight loss.
Side Effects & Warnings From Zetias Website
“When Zetia is prescribed with a statin…it should not be taken by anyone with active liver disease” and “Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking Zetia with a statin and during treatment.”
“Tell your doctor if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or any medical problems while on Zetia. Patients reported side effects while taking Zetia. Side effects included tiredness and stomach pain.”
Related Side Effects With Zetia
Most cholesterol lowering drugs do a good job of lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), however the effect they have on good cholesterol (HDL) is very limited. It is also shown than these cholesterol lowering drugs have zero effect on triglycerides (fats). The triglycerides are also an important cue of heart disease.
It has been shown that the use of different Statin medications can lead to a reduction in your body’s supply of CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This enzyme is a very important nutrient that is needed for strength and proper function of the heart.
With the side effects associated with using cholesterol reducing drugs, more people are in search of natural remedies or ingredients. Some of these natural products have been shown to have a much better impact at lowering cholesterol than statins, and they don’t have the side effects that’s usually associated with them. Ingredients such as Policosanol , Guggulipid Extract, Green Tea Extract and Beta Sitosterol
Zetia Oral Drug Interactions
December 14th, 2008It is very important to know what drugs interact with Zetia. Taking the wrong combination of drugs could have a very bad effect. If you are going to take Zetia then your doctor will ask you if you are taking any other prescription drugs. The pharmacists will also check to see if you are taking any other drugs. This is very important as a certain combination of drug interactions could lead to serious complications.
The most common drugs that you should inform the doctor or pharmacist of use are blood thinners, fibrates and cyclosporine. The reactions of these drugs, when used with Zetia have been shown results that are unfavorable. You should also inform them before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products
You should also tell your doctor if you are taking other drugs to reduce or lower your cholesterol. These include and are not limited to atorvastatin (Lipitor), clofibrate (Atromid-S), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), fenofibrate (Tricor), fluvastatin (Lescol), gemfibrozil (Lopid), lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or simvastatin (Zocor). If you take any of the above medications, then your doctor might have lower your dosage of Zetia or might monitor your body’s reaction to the specific drugs.
If you have to take bile acid sequestrant then Zetia should be take 2 hours before and 4 hours after the use of the product. The bile acid sequestrant may be colestipol (Colestid), colesevelam (Welchol) or cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, Questran).
What is Zetia
December 14th, 2008What is Zetia?
Zetia is a prescription drug (generic name Ezetimbe) whose main purpose is to reduce the amount of cholesterol that the body absorbs. Zetia reduces the bad cholesterol or LDL in the body. It is also responsible for reducing the protein that is used to make cholesterol, apolipoprotein B. The reduction of cholesterol works as Zetia works in the digestive tract. It is here that it blocks the absorbtion of cholesterol which comes from food.
ZETIA has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.
Zetia is one of the newer prescription cholesterol lowering drugs. Unlike the more common cholesterol medications called statins which block the enzyme your liver needs to produce cholesterol, Zetia works to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract.
Zetia can either be prescribed by a doctor to reduce cholesterol, or it can be used together with statin medications (Lipitor, Pravachol and Zocor). This will allow for the best cholesterol reduction.
Zetia works with the regime that you are doing to reduce your cholesterol. This means if you are doing proper diet and exercise or if you are just taking a statin alone to reduce your cholesterol
Zetia Important Information
ZETIA is a prescription medicine and it should not be used by people who might be allergic to any of their ingredients. Zetia can be useful if taken with a statin. Women who are pregnant or who have a chance of becoming pregnant should not take statins. The same can be said about people who have liver problems.
Zetia should be taken orally and this can be done while your eating or when your not.
You will not see instant results when taking Zetia. It will take up to 2 weeks before you start to see the benefits of using this drug.
You should take this medication on a regular basis if you want to see the benefits associated with it.
You should continue to take the medication, despite if you feel good.
There are side effects associated with Zetia.
Precautions before Taking Zetia
If you plan on taking Zetia (Ezetimibe) there are certain precautions that need to be taken to ensure that taking the drug is safe for you. You first need to consult with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that you have no allergic reactions to anything.
If you have specific medical conditions then this medicine should not be taken along with statins. This is especially true if you have liver disease or are pregnant or intend to get pregnant. If you are pregnant this drug should only be taken if it is absolutely necessary. The doctor will determine if it is needed or not.
Other Zetia Information
- 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.
- The medication is only intended for you and should be used accordingly.
- You should have your cholesterol levels checked regularly. This is to ensure that progress is being made from taking zetia. If Zetia (Ezetimibe) is taken along with statin, then liver tests should be performed to ensure that you are within the safe limits.
- Zetia should be stored at room temperature which is 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). It should also be kept away from moisture and light. Brief storage from 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. It should not be stored in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
- When you are finished with Zetia you should discard it if it is expired or if it is no longer