Zetia
Hyperlipidemia, Mixed Hyperlipidemia, Diet + 4 more
Treatment
7 FDA approvals
6 Active Studies for Zetia
Treatment for
Hyperlipidemia
What is Zetia
Ezetimibe
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Ezetimibe is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels. It works by blocking cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Ezetimibe is used in combination with a healthy diet to treat primary hyperlipidemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, and homozygous sitosterolemia. Unlike other cholesterol-lowering drugs, ezetimibe does not affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, triglycerides, or bile acids. The effectiveness of this drug is linked to the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1)
Zetia
is the brand name
Zetia Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Zetia
Ezetimibe
2002
156
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Ezetimibe, also called Zetia, is approved by the FDA for 7 uses which include Lipids and Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) .
Lipids
Used to treat Elevated Blood Lipids in combination with Simvastatin
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH)
Used to treat Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) in combination with Simvastatin
primary Hyperlipidemia
Used in combination with Pitavastatin to help manage primary Hyperlipidemia
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Used to treat Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) in combination with Simvastatin
Diet
Used to treat Diet in combination with Simvastatin
Hyperlipidemia
Used in combination with Pitavastatin to help manage primary Hyperlipidemia
Mixed Hyperlipidemia
Used to treat Mixed Hyperlipidemia in combination with Fenofibrate
Effectiveness
How Zetia Affects Patients
Ezetimibe helps reduce levels of bad cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG), and increase levels of good cholesterol (HDL-C). It is most effective when taken with a statin or fenofibrate instead of just one of those medications. People with homozygous and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia have seen the best results, reducing LDL levels by 15-20% and increasing HDL-C by 2.5-5%. Those with moderate to severe liver impairment should avoid ezetimibe as its effects in this population are unknown. Additionally, some reports suggest that
How Zetia works in the body
Ezetimibe helps lower cholesterol levels by blocking its absorption in the gut. It does this by targeting a protein, called NPC1L1, which is found in the small intestine and helps absorb cholesterol into the body. When Ezetimibe binds to NPC1L1, it prevents it from binding to cholesterol, so it can't be absorbed. Ezetimibe also disrupts other proteins that help regulate cholesterol absorption, like the CAV1-annexin 2 heterocomplex. Overall, this reduces the amount of cholesterol taken in by the body and increases its removal from the blood.
When to interrupt dosage
The prescribed dose of Zetia is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, such as Diet, Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Hyperlipidemia. The quantity of dosage is contingent upon the mode of administration (e.g. Oral or Tablet) as detailed in the table below.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Diet
10.0 mg,
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Lipids
10.0 mg,
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Mixed Hyperlipidemia
10.0 mg,
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Homozygous Sitosterolemia
10.0 mg,
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Hyperlipidemia
10.0 mg,
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
sitosterols
10.0 mg,
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
10.0 mg,
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral
Warnings
Zetia has three contraindications and should be avoided when confronting any of the conditions outlined in the ensuing table.
Zetia Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Transaminases
Do Not Combine
Liver Diseases
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Ezetimibe may interact with Pulse Frequency
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Zetia.
Common Zetia Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Atazanavir
Moderate
Ezetimibe may decrease the excretion rate of Atazanavir which could result in a higher serum level.
Belantamab mafodotin
Moderate
Ezetimibe may decrease the excretion rate of Belantamab mafodotin which could result in a higher serum level.
Benzbromarone
Moderate
Ezetimibe may decrease the excretion rate of Benzbromarone which could result in a higher serum level.
Budesonide
Moderate
Ezetimibe may decrease the excretion rate of Budesonide which could result in a higher serum level.
Clarithromycin
Moderate
Ezetimibe may decrease the excretion rate of Clarithromycin which could result in a higher serum level.
Zetia Toxicity & Overdose Risk
The lowest toxic dose of sitosterolemia in rats has been found to be greater than 2000mg/kg. The same is true for mice and dogs, with the lowest toxic dose being greater than 5000mg/kg and 3000mg/kg, respectively. In one case of accidental overdose, the patient experienced no adverse effects. If someone overdoses on sitosterolemia, symptomatic treatment is recommended.
Zetia Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Zetia?
8 active trials are currently underway to assess the utility of Zetia in regulating sitosterols, Diet and Lipid levels.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Mixed Hyperlipidemia
0 Actively Recruiting
sitosterols
0 Actively Recruiting
Hyperlipidemia
0 Actively Recruiting
Homozygous Sitosterolemia
0 Actively Recruiting
Lipids
0 Actively Recruiting
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
2 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Diet
4 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1
Zetia Reviews: What are patients saying about Zetia?
5
Patient Review
5/4/2021
Zetia for High Cholesterol
5
Patient Review
10/28/2022
Zetia for Homozygous Inherited High Blood Cholesterol
4
Patient Review
6/12/2021
Zetia for Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
3.7
Patient Review
12/18/2021
Zetia for Heterozygous Inherited High Blood Cholesterol
3.3
Patient Review
10/28/2021
Zetia for High Cholesterol
3
Patient Review
11/24/2021
Zetia for Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
2.3
Patient Review
10/31/2021
Zetia for Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
2.3
Patient Review
1/13/2021
Zetia for High Cholesterol
1.7
Patient Review
6/6/2022
Zetia for High Cholesterol
1.3
Patient Review
11/8/2022
Zetia for High Cholesterol
1
Patient Review
1/29/2022
Zetia for High Cholesterol
1
Patient Review
8/21/2020
Zetia for High Cholesterol
1
Patient Review
7/27/2022
Zetia for High Cholesterol
Patient Q&A Section about zetia
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What are the side effects of Zetia?
"The text says that some of the possible side effects of the medication include diarrhea, back pain, stomach or abdominal pain, numbness or tingly feeling, tired feeling, headache, dizziness, and depressed mood."
Answered by AI
Is Zetia better than statins?
"Ezetimibe is a safe and effective way to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 15-20%. When used in combination with a statin, it can help to lower LDL-C levels by up to 10%."
Answered by AI
Is Zetia considered a statin?
"Zetia does not work in the same way as statin drugs. It belongs to a class of drugs known as cholesterol absorption inhibitors. These drugs prevent your small intestine from being able to absorb cholesterol."
Answered by AI
Is Zetia and Lipitor the same?
"Lipitor and Zetia are two drugs used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Lipitor belongs to the drug class of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, while Zetia is a cholesterol-lowering drug. The two drugs work in different ways to lower cholesterol levels."
Answered by AI