The oral medication Zetia contains the drug ezetimibe, which doctors prescribe for patients with high cholesterol. Despite its effectiveness at lowering LDL cholesterol levels, Zetia poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Types

Though unpleasant, the most common side effects of Zetia rarely pose any threat for long-term health complications and include diarrhea, fatigue, an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and sinusitis, and pain in your joints or extremities.

Features

The most common side effects of Zetia occur in approximately 2 to 5 percent of patients, according to FDA clinical trials published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Approximately 3.3 percent of patients who take Zetia discontinue use of the drug due to its side effects.

Drug Interactions

Zetia increases your risk of developing harmful side effects from the immuno-suppressant medication cyclosporine. When taken with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, Zetia increases your risk of developing prolonged or uncontrollable bleeding following an injury or surgery, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Risks

Infrequently, the use of Zetia causes rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which a person's muscle fibers break down, resulting in damage to the kidneys. Zetia may also disrupt liver functioning, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Considerations

Because it has the potential to harm a developing fetus, doctors avoid prescribing Zetia for pregnant women. Also, if people have a history of liver disease, it may not be safe for them to take Zetia, cautions the Mayo Clinic.

Source:

U.S. National Library of Medicine Daily Med: ZETIA (ezetimibe) tablet

Mayo Clinic: Ezetimibe (Oral Route)