Ezetimibe is an lipid-lowering medication developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration and initially approved on 23 July 2004, for treating high cholesterol.

Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. It reduces the cholesterol stored in the intestine by absorption of cholesterol. So, LDL cholesterol, which is considered bad cholesterol, gets reduced. The total amount of cholesterol in the blood and vessels decreases, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Solifenacin succinate is a prescription medicine available as a 10mg tablet. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the tablet if your doctor advises you to stop.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Ezetimibe are fever, dizziness, headache, muscle pain, running nose, sore throat and tiredness. Some serious side effects also include liver damage, severe muscle weakness, and allergic reactions.

It is better to inform your doctor about the history of the medication you are taking along with this medication. The most common side effects of this medication include joint pain and diarrhea. Inform your doctor about any previous history of kidney and liver problems because this medicine is used with caution in those patients. This medication should not be given to pregnant women or women who are planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding mothers.

Cholesterol levels should be checked regularly. Along with the medication, patients are asked to follow good eating habits, exercise regularly, avoid too many oil food items, avoid smoking habits and alcohol, and reduce weight, which can balance their cholesterol level and increase the effectiveness of the medication.

Tell your doctor before the treatment commencement if you have lung and kidney disease. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for a pregnancy, and also take the doctor's advice if you are a lactating mother. Avoid driving and handling machinery as it decreases your alertness, and you may feel sleepy. The dosage and duration of this medication should be taken as per the doctor's advice. You should not stop medication on your own.

1. Ibrigen S.r.l, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [ Revised on Nov 2020] [Accessed on 5th June 2023],https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9869/pil
2. Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on September 2007] [Accessed on 5th June 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/021445s019lbl.pdf
3. Baruch L;Gupta B;Lieberman-Blum SS;Agarwal S;Eng C; Ezetimibe 5 and 10 mg for lowering LDL-C: Potential billion-dollar savings with improved tolerability, The American journal of managed care. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18837641/ [Accessed on 5th June 2023].

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.