Zetia (ezetimibe) is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat certain types of high cholesterol in adults and children ages 10 years and older. Zetia comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage is usually the same for all conditions the drug is approved to treat.

Zetia belongs to a drug class called cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Zetia is also available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Zetia, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Zetia, including the types of high cholesterol it’s approved to treat, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Zetia provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Zetia, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Read below for recommended dosages of Zetia for certain types of high cholesterol.

Zetia form

Zetia comes as an oral tablet that you swallow.

Zetia strength: 10 mg

Zetia comes in a single strength of 10 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosages

Your doctor will usually prescribe 10 mg of Zetia in combination with a cholesterol-lowering diet.

Your doctor may also prescribe other medications along with Zetia to help manage your cholesterol.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for high cholesterol

The typical starting dosage of Zetia for adults is 10 mg once per day. This is also the approved maximum dosage.

Your doctor will monitor your cholesterol levels to assess how well the drug is working. Because 10 mg is the approved maximum dose, your doctor will not prescribe a higher dose. However, they may prescribe other cholesterol medications for you to take with Zetia.

Children’s dosage

Zetia is approved to treat high cholesterol in children ages 10 years and older. For this use, the typical dosage is the same as it is for adults: 10 mg once per day.

Your child’s doctor will monitor their cholesterol levels to assess how well Zetia is working. Because 10 mg is the approved maximum dose, your child’s doctor will not prescribe a higher dose. However, they may prescribe other cholesterol medications for your child to take with Zetia.

Long-term treatment

Zetia is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Zetia is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Zetia and their answers.

Can certain foods affect my Zetia dosage?

There aren’t any known food interactions with Zetia that would affect your dosage. The only dosage of Zetia approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is 10 milligrams (mg) once per day.

For more information about how Zetia may interact with certain foods, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there a 5-mg or 20-mg daily dose of Zetia?

No, there isn’t. Zetia only comes in a 10-mg tablet. Its only approved dosage is 10 mg taken once per day.

If you have questions about your dosage of Zetia, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Zetia comes as an oral tablet that you’ll swallow. You can take it with or without food.

It’s best to take Zetia around the same time each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so it can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Zetia in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Zetia, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose. Instead, take your next dose as scheduled.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

If you take more Zetia than your doctor prescribes, you may develop side effects, some of which can be serious.

It’s important that you do not take more Zetia than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

For more information about side effects of Zetia, see this article.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Zetia

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Zetia. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Zetia for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Zetia without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Zetia that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Zetia. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Zetia. For information about other aspects of Zetia, refer to this article.
  • Side effects. To learn about side effects of Zetia, see this article. You can also look at Zetia’s prescribing information.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Zetia compares with Lipitor, read this article.
  • Details about high cholesterol. For details about high cholesterol, see our cholesterol hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.