Side effects of Zetia include: diarrhea, back pain, stomach or abdominal pain, numbness or tingly feeling, tired feeling, headache, dizziness, depressed mood, Is it harmful to switch abruptly to another cholesterol-lowering medicine such as simvastatin? Zetia (ezetimibe) is a lipid-lowering compound used to treat high cholesterol. Dr. said Zetia doesn't typically have the same reaction as statins. Here is another question we got from a reader around that time: Q. I am alarmed by recent reports that Vytorin and Zetia are associated with plaque build-up in the carotid artery. Another reader wrote us shortly after learning of the results of a study that raised questions about ezetimibe: Q. Dysphagia and stomach upset were the two main side effects I experienced with Zetia, at both 5mg and 10mg doses. There should be no danger switching to simvastatin, since it has been shown to be effective at lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart attacks in people with heart disease (Ursoniu et al, Pharmacological Research, online June 9, 2017). As it turns out, Zetia may cause muscle problems, too. Consequently, we expect that other patients might end up taking them. At this time, these pricey medications are considered appropriate for treating people with familial high cholesterol. My doctor put me on Zetia and insists it can’t cause muscle pain since it is not absorbed into the blood stream. It is Show 1031. The investigators note that many people stopped taking Vytorin or Zetia after they learned about this trial. Zetia works by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. The unresolved question is whether they prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. Within the past few years, FDA has approved new drugs to lower cholesterol. These thought leaders suggest that doctors should stick with statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs, which have a proven track record. BS. Can you shed any light on this? Can Zetia cause this? 3, 2008). But what about ezetimibe (Zetia)? I still have muscle pain, cramps and tingling in my legs and feet. I have problems taking statins. Here are some of the other problems those taking Zetia have faced: allergic reactions including facial and throat swelling which may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. As it turns out, Zetia may cause muscle problems, too. A. Zetia (ezetimibe) and Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin) lower cholesterol. Scientists compared the thickness of the lining of the carotid arteries in the neck between people put on Vytorin and those on simvastatin (Kastelein et al, New England Journal of Medicine, Apr. We don’t know how the benefits and risks of PCSK9 inhibitors will play out over time. We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options. Probably the most troublesome side effect patients report on one of these drugs is muscle pain or weakness. INFREQUENT side effects Backache Diarrhea Inflammation Of The Tissue Lining The Sinuses Joint Pain Low Energy Muscle Pain Pain In The Arms Or Legs Stomach Cramps The Flu Throat Irritation Sometimes, however, doctors find it hard to resist reaching into their toolbox for the newest thing that might help. Evolocumab (Repatha) and alirocumab (Praluent) are PCSK9 inhibitors. That’s too bad, they say. It would be appropriate to discuss your treatment with your doctor to see if there is another approach that might suit you better. They found that when people dropped ezetimibe their cholesterol rose. Muscle Pain on Zetia: Q. I have tried many statin drugs for cholesterol, but all gave me muscle pain and cramps. Common side effects of ezetimibe include diarrhea, abdominal pain, back pain, joint pain, muscle aches… Vytorin lowered bad LDL cholesterol more than Zocor did but this did not lead to healthier arteries. When using Zetia, there is an increased possibility of myopathy (any illness affecting muscles or muscle tissue) and you must on time report any muscle pains, weakness, or softness to your doctor. The study was funded by the two companies that make Zetia, Merck and Schering-Plough. With so many drugs now available to lower cholesterol, people naturally would like to know about the benefits and risks of each. My experience with Zetia Imagine walking to a friend’s dinner party. A. My doctor tells me that until more is known, I should continue taking the prescribed medicine. Q. I have tried many statin drugs for cholesterol, but all gave me muscle pain and cramps. Rashes, lesions, alterations in blood tests, liver problems, stomach pain, pancreas inflammation, nausea, depression, hair loss, gallstones and inflammation of the gall bladder have all been experienced. About 60 percent of U.S. patients who are taking Zetia now receive the drug as part of Vytorin. A. Zetia (ezetimibe) is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of high cholesterol in adults and children. Until there is more convincing data about Vytorin or Zetia, the cardiologists recommend using them only as a last resort. That increased their predicted risk of cardiovascular disease. Although Zetia works differently from statin cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lipitor or Zocor, it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. My doctor put me on Zetia and insists it can’t cause muscle pain since it is not absorbed into the blood stream. I called my doctor, who told me to continue taking it, but if it’s not doing anything good for my high cholesterol, why bother? Join our daily email newsletter with breaking health news, prescription drug information, home remedies AND you'll get a copy of our brand new full-length health guide — for FREE! Muscle side effects seem to be less common with Zetia than with the statin drugs, but Zetia may cause muscle problems. Nearly a decade after the ENHANCE data were reported, cardiologists have taken another look at the value of ezetimibe (Bays et al, Journal of Clinical Lipidology, online May 8, 2017). started zetia in January-no issues for a month-then the gas started -then explosive gas-running to bathroom 8-15 times a day not knowing what is was going to be. Cardiologist Steven Nissen, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic said he was shocked by the results. I still have muscle pain, cramps and tingling in my legs and feet. Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Zetia helps you reduce bad cholesterol which can assist in stopping serious problems such as heart attack and stroke. But the new two-year trial of 720 patients sheds doubt on whether it makes any sense for people battling cholesterol to take Vytorin versus Zocor alone, experts said. He advised his colleagues not to prescribe Zetia except as a last resort. You can learn more about these medications from our interview with Dr. Steve Nissen about the GAUSS-3 trial of evolocumab and ezetimibe in people who have muscle pain on statins.