How should I take ezetimibe (Zetia)?

Take this medication regularly and exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on the prescription label and any medication guides or patient information leaflet if provided.

You should take ezetimibe once daily around the same time every day, with or without food. 

You can cut or crush ezetimibe tablets. 

Other commonly-used cholesterol medications are the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, well-known as statins. Examples of statin agents are atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). 

If you are taking ezetimibe with other cholesterol medication, such as statins or fenofibrate, it is acceptable that you take your daily dose of ezetimibe at the same time as the statin or fenofibrate.  

If you are using the combination therapy of ezetimibe and a bile acid sequestrant such as cholestyramine, colesevelam, or Questran, you should take ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after the administration of the bile acid sequestrant. 

Ezetimibe should be used as an adjunct therapy with lifestyle modification. You should eat a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, in addition to frequent exercising for 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian if you have questions or need more information about lifestyle modifications. 

If you are overweight or obese, losing weight also helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. 

It may take up to two weeks to see an improvement in your cholesterol levels. 

Missed dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the amount or take more than prescribed to make up for the missed dose. 

Storage: Keep the medication in its original container; keep it tightly closed, out of reach of children, pets, and other people. Like any other prescription medication, ezetimibe should not be shared with anyone. Many people store their medications in the bathroom; this is not recommended due to moisture and heat.

Unused medications: Like other prescription medications, do not consume ezetimibe after the expiration date. This prescription drug is intended for your use only. Unneeded medicines should be disposed of appropriately to prevent children, pets, and other people from getting to them. Do not flush medications down the toilet unless instructed to do so. Your local pharmacy or local waste disposal company can provide information about medication drug take-back programs. You can also learn more about proper medication disposal.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary and may not contain all possible information. If you have more questions or concerns about ezetimibe, talk to your pharmacist or doctor to ensure that this information applies to you or your family member. 

Discounted prices for ezetimibe (Zetia)
 start at $20.20.

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