- What is ezetimibe, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- What brand names are available for ezetimibe?
- Is ezetimibe available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for ezetimibe?
- What are the side effects of ezetimibe?
- What is the dosage for ezetimibe?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with ezetimibe?
- Is ezetimibe safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about ezetimibe?
What is the dosage for ezetimibe?
The recommended dose of ezetimibe is 10 mg daily. Ezetimibe can be taken with or without food and at the same time as statin drugs.
Which drugs or supplements interact with ezetimibe?
Cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid) and colesevelam (WelChol), bile acid-binding drugs that may be used to treat elevated levels of cholesterol, bind to ezetimibe and reduce its absorption from the intestine by about 50%. Therefore, ezetimibe should be taken at least two hours before or 4 hours after administration of these drugs. Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral) increases the levels of ezetimibe while ezetimibe increases levels of cyclosporine. Combining both drugs may increase side effects of either drug.
Quick GuideLower Your Cholesterol, Save Your Heart
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
