The higher your LDL (bad) cholesterol level, the higher your risk of heart disease. Your doctor will consider additional risk factors such as the ones below to determine your risk of heart disease.
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Low HDL (good) cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol
- Overweight/Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Men aged 45 years or older
- Women aged 55 years or older
- Family history of early heart disease
Based on your individual risk factors and cholesterol level, your doctor can determine a treatment plan that’s right for you. Adding a cholesterol-lowering medicine such as ZETIA to your diet and exercise routine could be part of that plan.
Unlike some statins, ZETIA has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.
Important Risk Information
About ZETIA (ezetimibe)
ZETIA is a prescription medicine and should not be taken by people who are allergic to any of its ingredients. ZETIA can be taken alone or with a statin. Statins should not be taken by women who are nursing or pregnant or who may become pregnant, or by anyone with liver problems. If you have ever had liver problems or are pregnant or nursing, your doctor will decide if ZETIA alone is right for you. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking ZETIA with a statin and during treatment.
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. In clinical studies, patients reported few side effects while taking ZETIA. These included diarrhea, joint pains, and tiredness.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch or
call 1-800-FDA-1088.
