Treating high cholesterol and a rare genetic condition called sitosterolemia are among the licensed uses of Zetia. The cholesterol medication is effective at decreasing total cholesterol and "bad cholesterol," as well as decreasing triglycerides. By itself, Zetia has little effect on "good cholesterol"; and the drug is often used in combination with other cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins and fenofibrate. There are currently no known off-label uses.
When used in combination with atorvastatin (Lipitor®) or simvastatin (Zocor®), Zetia is also approved for treating high cholesterol due to the genetic disorder known as homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.