Ezetimibe

What is Ezetimibe?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body needs for cell membrane synthesis, hormone production and vitamin D synthesis. Too much of it, however, can be harmful. Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to proteins called lipoproteins, which fall into three main types:

Ezetimibe is a cholesterol lowering drug that reduces LDL cholesterol by limiting how much cholesterol the intestines absorb, so less of it ends up circulating in the blood. It is also available under the brand name Ezetrol. As an ezetimibe medication for managing chronic conditions, it is sometimes prescribed instead of a statin, such as simvastatin, when statins are not well tolerated, or alongside one for extra LDL lowering.

How Does Ezetimibe Work?

Statins lower cholesterol by limiting how much the liver produces. Ezetimibe medicine works differently, by blocking the absorption of LDL cholesterol from the digestive tract into the bloodstream, without affecting HDL cholesterol.

It targets a protein called Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), found on the border of the intestinal cells that normally absorb cholesterol. By binding to and inhibiting this protein, the drug ezetimibe reduces how much cholesterol the intestines take up, lowering the amount that reaches the bloodstream.

This drop in blood cholesterol helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes. These cholesterol tablets ezetimibe work best alongside a diet low in saturated fats, regular exercise and stopping smoking.

Who Is Ezetimibe Used For?

Ezetimibe may be prescribed for:

• People with high blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), either alongside a statin or alone if statins are not tolerated.
• People with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol from a young age.

Ezetimibe Dosage

Ezetimibe is straightforward to take, but sticking to a routine matters for keeping cholesterol under control. Here is what to keep in mind:

• A common dose is 10mg, taken as a single oral tablet once a day.
• Swallow the ezetimibe 10mg tablet whole with a glass of water, and do not crush or chew it.
• It can be taken at any time of day, but try to keep to the same time daily to avoid missing a dose.
• Treatment is often long term, as stopping usually lets cholesterol levels rise again.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day, then continue as normal. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed one, and always follow the instructions given by your prescriber or the patient information leaflet..

Benefits of Taking Ezetimibe

More energy, from improved circulation. Less chest discomfort, where angina was previously present. Improved exercise tolerance. Modest weight loss, when combined with regular exercise. Healthier skin appearance.

Ezetimibe Side Effects

Ezetimibe generally has a milder side effect profile than statins, though like all medicines it can still cause some side effects.

This is not a complete list. Always check the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine for full details.

Who Can Use Ezetimibe?

Ezetimibe is a medication used to lower the presence of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the bloodstream. It is primarily used for people with hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol) which can be acquired over a life course or be due to genetic conditions (such as familial hypercholesterolemia). The following is an overview of some of the circumstances in which Ezetimibe can be prescribed:

• Having high blood LDL cholesterol levels (Hypercholesterolemia)
  • Especially if lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) have not lowered cholesterol enough
  • Ezetimibe can either be used alone in these situations or combined with a statin for additive effect.
• Statin intolerance
  • If someone is experiencing unpleasant or intolerable side effects from statins (a notable one being muscle pains). Ezetimibe can either be used as a substitute to achieve the cholesterol lowering effects while lowering the incidence of unpleasant side effects.
• The genetic condition – familial Hypercholesterolemia
  • Familial Hypercholesterolemia is a genetic condition which results in abnormally high levels of cholesterol being deposited in the arteries from a young age. This can predispose to conditions like atherosclerosis (peripheral or coronary artery disease), heart disease or stroke.
• Need for additional LDL cholesterol lowering:
  • People on statins may be prescribed ezetimibe to further lower LDL cholesterol levels if adequate control was not being achieved by statins alone. This combined effect of Statins + Ezetimibe can help achieve increased LDL cholesterol effects without building a higher risk for statin related side effects.
• People with cardiovascular disease
  • After issues like an acute coronary syndrome, patient may be prescribed a combination of statins and ezetimibe to lower cardiovascular risk and prevent further such/related events happening again.

 Statins may be unwarranted or contraindicated in certain situations. Some of these situations include:

• Severe liver disease – this can be an issue as Ezetimibe is partially metabolised in the liver so using it in liver disease can result in a state of accidental overdose.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women – there are not enough studies to guarantee the safety profile of Ezetimibe in pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People with allergies to this drug (the active compound) or any of the inactive components in its formulation.

A further review of situations where Ezetimibe use may not be indicated can be found further below in this article.

If you have any specific questions about Ezetimibe, it’s potential suitability for you, side effects or ways they can affect you, please speak to your healthcare provider.

Possible Side Effects of Ezetimibe 

Ezemtime is used often when statins cannot be tolerated due to their broader range of side effects. Ezetimibe can either be used alone as a substitute for statins, the overall effect of this is to help in the cholesterol lowering effect while reducing the incidence of the higher risk side effects of statins.

Ezetimibe like any medication can cause side effects however most of these are mild and most people tolerate them well. While a comprehensive review of side effects, contraindications, precautions and warnings to do with Ezetimibe comes in the patient information leaflet; the following is an overview of the possible side effects of ezetimibe, ranging from mild to severe.

Some of the Common side effects of Ezetimibe (usually mild or temporary) include:

• Stomach pains or cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue or tenderness
• Headache
• Joint or muscle spasm

These side effects tend to be tolerated by most people and disappear with continued statin use. If you find that they are persisting or find them intolerable, please consult with your healthcare provider.

Some Less common but still notable side effects include:

• Muscle problems (myalgia or weakness) – most likely occur if taken with a statin
• Elevated liver enzymes – also more likely to occur if ezetimibe is taken in conjunction with statins as opposed to taken alone.
• Back pain
• Sinusitis or cold-like symptoms 

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Allergic reactions such as a rash, itching, swelling or trouble breathing
• Liver problems resulting in yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools
• Pancreatitis – resulting in severe stomach pain, nausea and vomiting

If any of these serious side effects occur – please stop taking the medicine and seek medical assistance immediately.

To monitor your health, particularly liver or muscle health when taking Statins or Ezetimibe, please consult with your healthcare provider about booking routine liver tests and blood cholesterol tests.

If you feel like any of the side effects are intolerable and deter you from completing your ezetimibe course, please speak to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Please also approach them if you experience any symptoms similar to unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially when accompanied by fever or fatigue.

Precautions and Warnings

The following is an overview of some warnings to adhere to and precautions to take when taking cholesterol tablets ezetimibe.

If you have any issues, or experience any adverse effects with ezetimibe, speak to your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Ezetimibe Cost and Where to Buy

The price depends mainly on pack size, so it is worth comparing the ezetimibe 10 mg cost across a couple of options before you order. At Meds for Less, tablets are shown with clear pricing on the product page, so there are no surprises at checkout.

Ezetimibe pills sit within our wider range of high cholesterol treatments, so you can weigh up options rather than commit blind. Buying it online means no face to face appointment: once your prescription has been reviewed, you can order and expect next day delivery to your door.

Where to Buy Ezetimibe Online?

You can buy Ezetimibe online from our website at Meds For Less.

Our portal allows you to browse through Ezetimibe, its uses, side effects, the price of ezetimibe and its delivery timings, all online.

This allows you to easily, reliably and conveniently order Ezetimibe from Meds For Less and expect next day home delivery.