Ezetimibe 10mg by Sandoz

Ezetimibe general information

What is Ezetimibe used for?

Ezetimibe tablets 10mg are used to lower high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C or “bad cholesterol”) and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood, also to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C or “good cholesterol”) in adults and adolescents (10 to 17 years).  Ezetimibe tablets 10mg are used in addition to a low-fat diet, when lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) are not sufficient to lower cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia, which may be due to lifestyle (high-fat diet and lack of exercise) or can be inherited (familial hypercholesterolaemia) and is not always lifestyle dependent.  This form of hypercholesterolaemia is known as heterozygous.  Ezetimibe tablets 10mg can also be used in conjunction with a statin for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), which is an inherited form and is more serious if untreated.  There are usually no symptoms associated with high cholesterol and Ezetimibe tablets 10mg help reduce health risks associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol. 

How does Ezetimibe work?

Ezetimibe tablets 10mg contain ezetimibe that is used to lower high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) to reduce risk of heart disease.  Ezetimibe in Ezetimibe tablets 10mg acts directly on the small intestine to inhibit the intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol taken, including related plant sterols (phytosterols).  Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body, however, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries (known as plaque formation) and increasing risk of heart disease.  Ezetimibe in Ezetimibe tablets 10mg acts directly on the sterol transporter in the intestine wall that controls the uptake of cholesterol and phytosterols from the diet to inhibit the absorption of cholesterol.  This action of ezetimibe in Ezetimibe tablets 10mg decreases dietary cholesterol, which leads to a reduction of cholesterol stores in the liver and this helps lower blood cholesterol levels. 

What does Ezetimibe contain?

Ezetimibe tablets 10mg contain the active ingredient ezetimibe that is used to lower high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) to reduce risk of heart disease.  They also contain lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearate.

Treating high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) with Ezetimibe

Ezetimibe tablets 10mg contain ezetimibe, a cholesterol-lowering medication that is used to treat high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) to reduce health risks associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol.  Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body, however, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and increasing risk of heart disease.  Ezetimibe in Ezetimibe tablets 10mg acts directly on the small intestine to inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and related plant sterols from the diet.  Decreased dietary cholesterol leads to a reduction of cholesterol stores in the liver and this helps lower blood cholesterol levels. 

What are the side effects of Ezetimibe?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Ezetimibe tablets 10mg include, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, tenderness or weakness, muscle ache not caused by exercise, tingling in the hands or feet (paresthesia), dizziness, swelling under the skin (angioedema).  

When should Ezetimibe not be used?

You should not use Ezetimibe tablets 10mg if you:

• are allergic to ezetimibe or any ingredients in Ezetimibe
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Ezetimibe other cholesterol-lowering drugs such as bile acid sequestrants like cholestyramine and fibrates like clofibrate, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, the anticoagulant warfarin

What medications interact with Ezetimibe?

Several medications interact with Ezetimibe tablets 10mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Ezetimibe or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Ezetimibe: sequestrants like cholestyramine and fibrates like clofibrate, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine
• Drugs that are affected by Ezetimibe: the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, the anticoagulant warfarin

How should Ezetimibe be taken?

You should take your Ezetimibe tablets 10mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, once daily, with or without food.  If you are also taking a statin drug, you should take both medications at the same time.  If you are also taking a bile acid sequestrant drug, you should take your Ezetimibe tablets 10mg at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after.  It may take up to 2 weeks before your cholesterol levels begin to fall and you should continue to take your Ezetimibe tablets 10mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long-term, as Ezetimibe tablets 10mg helps control your condition but will not cure it.  

How long should you take Ezetimibe?

You should continue to take your Ezetimibe tablets 10mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long-term, as Ezetimibe tablets 10mg helps control your condition but will not cure it.  

Missed dose of Ezetimibe

If you miss a dose of Ezetimibe tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Ezetimibe be stored?

You should store your Ezetimibe tablets 10mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.