Zetia is a medicine licensed to treat high cholesterol and sitosterolemia, a rare genetic condition. This eMedTV article discusses the effects of the prescription drug, how it works, how and when to take it, potential side effects, and more.
Among the common side effects of Zetia are diarrhea, joint pain, and fatigue. As this portion of the eMedTV archives explains, there are also a number of rare side effects, including allergic reactions, gallstones, and muscle weakness.
Most people who have muscle pain while on Zetia have no other symptoms. As this eMedTV page explains, serious muscle problems are more common in people who are also taking statins. If you're taking Zetia and muscle pain occurs, talk to your doctor.
As this eMedTV page explains, several side effects can occur during treatment with Zetia, but sexual side effects don't appear to be among them. This page advises talking with your doctor if you do experience sexual problems while taking this drug.
This eMedTV page lists things you can do if you're taking Zetia and weight gain occurs (such as getting regular exercise and eating a low-cholesterol diet) and also advises talking with your doctor if you experience weight gain while taking this drug.
This portion of the eMedTV archives explains that while hair loss is not a known side effect of Zetia, you should talk with your doctor if you're taking Zetia and hair loss does become a problem.
Zetia is unlikely to cause sexual dysfunction in females. This eMedTV segment further discusses Zetia and sexual problems in females, including information on how there were no reports of sexual side effects in clinical trials that studied Zetia.
This eMedTV page lists Zetia uses, which include treating high cholesterol and a rare genetic condition known as sitosterolemia. This page also covers using the drug in children and lists other cholesterol drugs often used in combination with Zetia.
This eMedTV Web page lists the recommended Zetia dose (10 mg once daily), factors that can affect your dosage (such as other drugs you may be taking), and other general dosing tips (such as never breaking, chewing, or crushing the Zetia tablets).
This eMedTV Web page describes how Zetia drug interactions can change how the body metabolizes the drugs and alter the levels of Zetia in the blood. Warfarin, colestipol, and gemfibrozil are among the drugs that can cause serious interactions.
Among the Zetia precautions and warnings listed on this eMedTV page are potential drug interactions; conditions to tell your doctor about before taking Zetia, including any muscle problems; and the safety of taking the drug while pregnant or nursing.
As this eMedTV page explains, a generic Zetia drug will not be available until the patent for Zetia expires in 2014. However, this article lists some other classes of cholesterol drugs that are also effective at lowering cholesterol, such as fibrates.
