Ezetimibe is used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat-like substances) levels in the blood. Using this medicine may help prevent medical problems caused by such substances clogging the blood vessels.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before prescribing medicine for your condition, your doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a diet may be low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following their doctor's orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed.

Also, this medicine is less effective if you are greatly overweight. It may be very important for you to go on a weight-reducing diet. However, check with your doctor before going on any diet.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Frequency not determined

Abdominal fullness

black tarry stools

bleeding gums

bloating

blood in urine or stools

chills

constipation

darkened urine

fast heartbeat

fever

gaseous abdominal pain

general tiredness or weakness

indigestion

large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs

loss of appetite

light-colored stools

muscle cramps or spasms

muscular tenderness, wasting or weakness

nausea

pains in stomach, side or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pinpoint red spots on skin

recurrent fever

severe nausea

skin rash

unusual bleeding or bruising

upper right abdominal pain

vomiting

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Fever

headache

muscle pain

runny nose

sore throat

Less common

Back pain

body aches or pain

chest pain

chills

cold or flu-like symptoms

congestion

coughing

diarrhea

difficulty in moving

dizziness

dryness or soreness of throat

hoarseness

muscle pain or stiffness

pain in joints

pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones

shortness of breath or troubled breathing

stomach pain

stuffy nose

tender, swollen glands in neck

tightness of chest or wheezing

trouble in swallowing

unusual tiredness or weakness

voice changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol. Your doctor can then decide if you should continue to take it.

Check with your doctor immediately if you think that you may be pregnant. Certain cholesterol medications may cause birth defects or other problems in the baby if taken during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. It is very important that you take all of your medicine. Your doctor will discuss with you any changes in your medicine. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.