Zetia (ezetimibe) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of high cholesterol in adults and children ages 10 years and older.

As an accompaniment to a low cholesterol diet, Zetia is approved to treat:

Zetia is typically taken as a long-term treatment.

Here are some fast facts about Zetia:

  • Active ingredient: ezetimibe
  • Drug class: cholesterol absorption inhibitor
  • Drug form: oral tablet
  • FDA approval year: 2002

As with other drugs, Zetia can cause side effects (also known as adverse effects). Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Zetia, including details about its uses, see this article.

Zetia can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Zetia in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Zetia use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more, you can refer to Zetia’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Zetia include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Zetia and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Rarely, Zetia may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zetia’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Zetia, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Muscle problems. This side effect is more likely to occur when Zetia is taken in combination with a statin drug or fenofibrate. Symptoms can include:
    • muscle pain
    • muscle weakness
    • leg cramps
    • muscle stiffness
    • muscle spasms
  • High levels of certain liver enzymes.*
  • Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Zetia. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Zetia may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Will I experience certain side effects when stopping Zetia 10 mg?

No, you should not have any side effects when stopping Zetia. However, stopping Zetia may lead to an increase in your cholesterol. And high cholesterol may raise your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Also, Zetia is not known to cause withdrawal symptoms (mental or physical symptoms that can occur when you stop taking a drug). This side effect was not reported in clinical trials.

If you want to stop taking Zetia, talk with your doctor. You should not stop taking Zetia without first talking with your doctor.

Does Zetia cause weight gain or weight loss?

Weight gain and weight loss were not side effects reported in Zetia’s clinical trials.

Zetia is prescribed along with a low cholesterol diet. So, you may lose weight due to eating a more heart-healthy diet.

If you have concerns about your weight while taking Zetia, talk with your doctor. They may be able to help determine what’s causing your weight changes.

Are there side effect reviews of Zetia on the manufacturer’s website?

No, but the manufacturer of Zetia does provide a medication guide, which explains what side effects may be expected with Zetia.

If you notice side effects after you start taking Zetia, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is hair loss a side effect of Zetia?

No, hair loss isn’t a side effect reported in clinical trials of Zetia.

If you experience hair loss while taking Zetia, talk with your doctor. They may be able to help determine what’s causing your hair loss.

If I take Zetia with Crestor, will I experience different side effects?

If you take Zetia with Crestor, Lipitor, or another statin drug, you may be more likely to experience certain side effects. In clinical trials, these side effects included:

If you notice any new side effects while taking Zetia in combination with other medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend stopping one or both drugs, depending on your symptoms.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Zetia may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Zetia.

High levels of certain liver enzymes

Taking Zetia along with a statin drug such as simvastatin can increase your liver enzymes. In clinical trials, this side effect was rare.

Increased liver enzymes may indicate liver damage. You may not notice symptoms at first. Over time, it’s possible for liver damage to worsen. Symptoms of liver damage can include:

  • abdominal pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • lack of appetite
  • fatigue
  • jaundice
  • swollen legs and ankles
  • bruising easily
  • itching
  • urine that is darker than usual
  • change in stool (pale color)

What you can do

If you notice any symptoms of liver damage, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend regular blood tests to check your liver function. If your liver enzymes are too high, they may have you stop your Zetia treatment.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was a common side effect in Zetia’s clinical trials. Diarrhea can happen if you take Zetia alone or in combination with a statin drug. It’s not known how long diarrhea may last with Zetia.

What you can do

If you have diarrhea that does not improve over time, talk with your doctor. They may suggest ways to manage this side effect.

Joint pain

Joint pain was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Zetia. This side effect occurred in people who took Zetia alone or with a statin drug. It’s not known how long joint pain may last. Some people stopped taking Zetia because of joint pain.

Symptoms of joint pain can include:

  • joints that are stiff or larger in size
  • swelling or numbness around the joint
  • decreased ability to move the joint
  • pain with joint movement

What you can do

If you develop joint pain while taking Zetia, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment option for you if the pain does not improve over time or becomes severe.

Common cold

In clinical trials, people who took Zetia alone or with a statin drug reported upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold. This was a common side effect. Symptoms of the common cold can include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and headache.

What you can do

If you notice that you’re experiencing more colds while taking Zetia, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you stop treatment with Zetia.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Zetia can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Zetia. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Zetia. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Liver problems. If you have liver problems, your body may not break down Zetia as well as it should. This can cause Zetia to build up in your body, which can increase your risk of side effects. Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver problems. While you’re taking Zetia, your doctor will likely check your liver by doing liver function tests before you start treatment and during your Zetia treatment. If your liver enzymes increase, your doctor may recommend stopping Zetia. See the “Side effect specifics” section above for more information.

Kidney problems. Having kidney problems is not known to be a risk when taking Zetia alone. However, if you have kidney problems and take Zetia with a statin drug, you may have a higher risk of certain muscle problems, such as rhabdomyolysis. Tell your doctor if you’ve had any kidney problems in the past. They may do kidney function tests before you start using Zetia with a statin drug. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may recommend a lower statin dose or choose a different treatment option for your condition.

Thyroid problems. Having thyroid problems is not known to be a risk when taking Zetia alone. However, if you have thyroid problems and take Zetia with a statin drug, you may have a higher risk of certain muscle problems, such rhabdomyolysis. Tell your doctor if you’ve been treated for an underactive thyroid in the past. They may do thyroid function tests before you start using Zetia with a statin drug. If you have thyroid problems, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for your condition.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Zetia or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Zetia. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol with Zetia

There’s no known interaction between Zetia and alcohol.

However, drinking alcohol can lead to liver damage. And if you’re taking Zetia in combination with a statin drug, you may have an increased risk of liver-related side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to drink during treatment with Zetia.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Zetia

It’s not known whether Zetia is safe to take during pregnancy.

In animal studies, Zetia caused fetal harm. It’s not known whether Zetia would have the same effect in humans. For this reason, Zetia is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.

It’s not known whether Zetia passes into breast milk or what effects it may cause in a child who’s breastfed.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child while taking Zetia.

As with any medication, Zetia can cause certain side effects. Typically, side effects from Zetia are mild and go away over time. If you’d like to learn more about Zetia, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

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.