{"id":54131,"date":"2022-09-28T14:22:39","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T18:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54131"},"modified":"2025-12-17T15:05:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T20:05:57","slug":"ezetimibe-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ezetimibe-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Ezetimibe side effects and how to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/ezetimibe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (brand name <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zetia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zetia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) is a generic prescription drug that lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which may lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people with risk factors. Although ezetimibe may cause side effects, they\u2019re generally mild and go away as the body gets used to the medication. However, serious side effects, such as liver problems or muscle damage, are possible, especially when ezetimibe is taken with a statin or fenofibrate. Knowing what to expect can help you manage the potential side effects of ezetimibe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-side-effects-of-ezetimibe-10-mg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the side effects of ezetimibe 10 mg?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/ezetimibe\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor with generally mild side effects, but not everyone experiences them. In one real-world study, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2568964\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">around 3%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of people taking ezetimibe with a statin experienced mild side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"most-common-side-effects-of-ezetimibe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most common side effects of ezetimibe<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In clinical trials of ezetimibe taken alone, the most common side effect was upper respiratory tract infection, which occurred in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f26e7a4e-b3d9-4cf8-baf0-7423d46cd8ba\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about 4%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of patients. Other common side effects of ezetimibe include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sore throat and runny nose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swollen sinuses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain in the arms or legs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stomach pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"serious-side-effects-of-ezetimibe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious side effects of ezetimibe<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious side effects are less common but may happen, especially when the drug is taken alongside a statin or fenofibrate. The most serious side effects of ezetimibe include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/pancreatitis-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammation of the pancreas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (pancreatitis)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious allergic reactions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Ezetimibe and liver problems<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe may cause increased liver enzyme levels when taken alone. However, ezetimibe is more likely to cause significantly increased levels of liver enzymes when combined with a statin like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/atorvastatin-calcium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">atorvastatin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/simvastatin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">simvastatin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Increased liver enzymes occur in about 1% of people who take both ezetimibe and a statin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liver function is typically checked before starting treatment. If liver enzyme levels get too high during treatment, a healthcare provider may recommend temporarily stopping ezetimibe, the statin, or both.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"ezetimibe-and-muscle-damage\"><strong>Ezetimibe and muscle damage<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/rhabdomyolysis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rhabdomyolysis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can be a rare but potentially severe side effect of ezetimibe. Muscle damage can release a protein called myoglobin, which can damage the kidneys in large quantities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle problems are more commonly linked to statins and other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/high-cholesterol-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cholesterol-lowering drugs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that are prescribed with ezetimibe. However, there are also reports of muscle damage in people taking ezetimibe alone. If muscle pain and weakness develop or worsen, consult a healthcare provider, as they may need to modify treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"ezetimibe-and-cancer\"><strong>Ezetimibe and cancer<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There has been some interest about whether ezetimibe might increase the risk of cancer, especially intestinal or colorectal cancer. One study reported a small <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35352704\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased risk of intestinal cancer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in people using ezetimibe. However, no other large trials have found a clear or consistent link. Those with a personal or family history of cancer may want to talk to their healthcare provider before starting ezetimibe and throughout treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ezetimibe-without-insurance\/\"><b>How much is ezetimibe without insurance?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-soon-do-ezetimibe-side-effects-start\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How soon do ezetimibe side effects start?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many ezetimibe side effects are delayed. The drug needs to be taken for a few weeks or months before certain side effects, like flu-like symptoms and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK541128\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">back pain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, may start to appear. Other side effects of ezetimibe may appear early, however. These include diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness, stomach pain, and feeling tired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some serious side effects, such as rhabdomyolysis, pancreatitis, and hepatitis, can take weeks or months to develop and cause serious problems. On the other hand, allergic reactions can happen quickly and may include signs and symptoms such as a skin rash (hives), swelling of the face, or trouble breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-long-do-ezetimibe-side-effects-last\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long do ezetimibe side effects last?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most side effects of ezetimibe tend to improve as the body adjusts to the medication. If side effects continue or worsen, treatment may need to be stopped. It can take about four to five days for the last dose of ezetimibe to be cleared out of the body since it has a half-life of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2024\/021445s043lbl.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">around 22 hours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That means most side effects should fade within a few days after stopping the drug.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious side effects, such as muscle damage, gallbladder inflammation, and problems with the pancreas, can have longer-lasting effects that may be irreversible. Treatment with ezetimibe should be discontinued at the first sign of a serious problem. Any severe or unusual symptoms should be reported immediately to prevent complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-long-term-side-effects-of-ezetimibe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the long-term side effects of ezetimibe?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe may be taken for months or years, as long as it works and side effects are mild or tolerable. There are no specific long-term side effects linked to ezetimibe itself. However, liver function may be monitored throughout treatment, as ezetimibe may increase liver enzyme levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The risk of muscle damage <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK532879\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increases with age<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially when ezetimibe is taken with a statin. Therefore, older adults on long-term therapy with ezetimibe should be aware of any muscle aches or weakness that develops.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ezetimibe-contraindications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe contraindications<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe should not be taken by people who are allergic to any ingredients in the drug. In addition, people with active liver disease and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may need to avoid ezetimibe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"pregnancy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnancy<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe has not been studied in pregnant women, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK498654\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">animal studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggest there may be an increased risk of harmful effects to an unborn baby. The combination of ezetimibe and a statin is not typically recommended in pregnant women either, although the FDA has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahajournals.org\/doi\/10.1161\/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.058983\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">removed contraindications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for statins in pregnancy. In addition, cholesterol is an important part of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/biolreprod\/article\/88\/1\/24,%201-9\/2514198\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fetal growth and development<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Therefore, blocking cholesterol production in an unborn baby could lead to birth defects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"breastfeeding\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breastfeeding<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe may pass into human breast milk in low amounts. Because cholesterol synthesis is important to an infant\u2019s development, healthcare professionals generally avoid giving a woman who is breastfeeding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK501635\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">both ezetimibe and a statin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of ezetimibe, a healthcare provider may consider prescribing a bile acid sequestrant, such as Questran (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/cholestyramine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cholestyramine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), Colestid (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/colestipol-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">colestipol<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), or Welchol (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/colesevelam-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">colesevelam<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Bile acid sequestrants help lower cholesterol, but they don\u2019t enter the bloodstream or breast milk. However, these drugs may cause other problems that can affect a nursing infant, such as interfering with the mother\u2019s ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"children\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the combination of ezetimibe and a statin for children <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK395575\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as young as 10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to treat an inherited high cholesterol disorder called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. However, it has not been studied for use in girls who have not yet had their first period or children younger than 10.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"people-with-liver-disease\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with liver disease<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe is primarily broken down by the liver. People with moderate to severe liver disease may experience high levels of the drug in the body, which could increase the risk of side effects. For this reason, ezetimibe is not recommended for use in people with moderate to severe liver disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ezetimibe-interactions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe may interact with other drugs, leading to an increased risk of side effects or lower effectiveness:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cyclosporine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Ezetimibe could increase the levels of the immunity-suppressing drug cyclosporine and vice versa, increasing the risk of side effects of either drug.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fibrates:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Although ezetimibe is approved for use with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fenofibrate\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fenofibrate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it is not recommended for use with other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/fibrates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fibrates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because of the increased risk of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/gallstones-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gallstones<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, healthcare providers may avoid prescribing a fibrate called gemfibrozil with ezetimibe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bile acid sequestrants: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine and colesevelam, can lower how much ezetimibe the body absorbs, which may decrease its effectiveness. To prevent this, ezetimibe should be taken either at least two hours before or four hours after the bile acid sequestrant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Coumadin (warfarin):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ezetimibe may increase the effects of certain types of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/anticoagulants\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blood thinners<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/warfarin-sodium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">warfarin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Healthcare providers may need to regularly check blood clotting with International Normalized Ratio (INR) tests when the two drugs are taken together.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Statins:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ezetimibe is often prescribed with statins. However, there may be an increased risk of liver enzyme changes and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/statin-side-effects\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">muscle problems<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when combining ezetimibe with a statin. People who take both may need regular blood tests to monitor liver function.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always mention other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements being taken before starting ezetimibe to prevent drug interactions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ezetimibe-alternatives\/\"><b>Ezetimibe alternatives<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-prevent-ezetimibe-side-effects\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to prevent ezetimibe side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe doesn\u2019t typically cause serious side effects when taken as prescribed. However, you may be able to reduce the chance of side effects or catch problems early by doing the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let your healthcare provider know whether you have a history of certain medical problems, particularly liver problems, pregnancy or breastfeeding plans, or unusual muscle pain or weakness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your healthcare provider prescribes ezetimibe with another cholesterol-lowering medication, ask when the other drug should be taken. It\u2019s usually okay to take them together, but some drugs, like bile acid sequestrants, may need to be taken several hours before or after a dose of ezetimibe is taken.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep all follow-up appointments. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-a-doctor\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular visits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and blood tests may be needed to identify potentially serious side effects before they get worse.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take each day\u2019s dose at the same time each day. Not having a consistent dosing schedule may increase the risk of accidentally taking a double dose.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t take larger doses than prescribed. Taking too much of any prescription drug can make side effects more likely to occur.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common way people overdose is when they forget a dose. Never take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you miss a dose of ezetimibe, take it as soon as you remember, as long as you\u2019re taking it on the same day it was supposed to be taken. If it\u2019s the day after, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. Only take one dose per day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/resources\/cholesterol\">Cholesterol Medication Coupons &amp; Resources<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-treat-side-effects-of-ezetimibe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to treat side effects of ezetimibe<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Side effects can and do happen, but they\u2019re usually manageable. At-home remedies or over-the-counter treatments may help with some of the side effects of ezetimibe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"infections\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infections<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezetimibe is linked to an increased risk of upper respiratory infections that can cause symptoms such as a stuffy nose and sore throat. Ezetimibe does not, however, make these infections worse than they normally would be. Treat these symptoms as you would normally: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-treat-a-cold\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">getting rest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter medications as needed or directed by a healthcare provider. If infections become severe or last for a while, seek medical advice from your healthcare professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"diarrhea\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/upset-stomach-remedies\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eat bland foods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> until symptoms improve. Before using any over-the-counter medication or supplement to treat diarrhea, talk to a healthcare professional first. If diarrhea becomes severe or persists, get medical help.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"unusual-tiredness\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unusual tiredness<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This side effect may get better over a few days with rest. If it doesn\u2019t, get medical advice from the prescribing healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"muscle-problems\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle problems<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stop exercising temporarily and rest if mild muscle aches occur. Seek medical attention if there is severe muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Pain that is severe and accompanied by symptoms such as dark urine or fever may indicate myopathy or muscle damage that is affecting the kidneys.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"expert-takeaway\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expert takeaway<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSide effects from ezetimibe are usually mild, but it\u2019s important to watch for unusual muscle pain or signs of liver problems, especially when it\u2019s taken with other cholesterol drugs,\u201d says Gerardo Sison, Pharm.D., member of the SingleCare Medical Board. \u201cKeeping an eye on side effects, going to regular follow-up visits, and getting routine lab work can help catch any potential problems early.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ezetimibe (brand name Zetia) is a generic prescription drug that lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which may lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people with risk factors. Although ezetimibe may cause side effects, they\u2019re generally mild and go away as the body gets used to the medication. However, serious side effects, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":54134,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[20952,12752],"coauthors":[8861],"class_list":["post-54131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-high-cholesterol","tag-medication-side-effects","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ezetimibe side effects and how to avoid them<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Liver damage and muscle damage are common ezetimibe side effects. 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