Brand Name

Ezetrol {Schering-Plough}

Generic Name

ezetimibe, pronounced ez ET i mibe

---

Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Ezetrol? Ezetrol helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol or other sterols that your body absorbs from your diet. You may be prescribed Ezetrol, alongside a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, as well as other cholesterol-lowering medications to treat your high cholesterol. Ezetrol may also be used to treat high blood sitosterol and campesterol, along with diet therapy.

Ezetrol may also be used for purposes not indicated in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Ezetrol

Ezetrol helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol or other sterols that your body absorbs from your diet. Ezetrol is a part of a complete program of treatment your doctor may have prescribed that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control.

You cannot take certain cholesterol medications at the same time that you take Ezetrol. Do not take Ezetrol at the same time with cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam (Welchol). You should wait at least 4 hours after taking any of these medications before you can take Ezetrol. You may also take Ezetrol 2 hours before taking any of these medications.

You can take Ezetrol at the same time that you take fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, Lofibra, TriCor, Triglide), or with any of the “statin” drugs such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol).

Ezetrol can rarely cause a condition which results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, particularly if you also have unusual tiredness, a fever or dark colored urine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Ezetrol is in FDA Pregnancy Category C. It is not yet known if Ezetrol may harm your unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking Ezetrol as it is not known if Ezetrol passes into breast milk.

Children under age ten (10) should not be given Ezetrol.

Before You Take Ezetrol

If you are allergic toezetimibe you should not take Ezetrol.

Before taking Ezetrol, tell your doctor if you have ever had a kidney or a thyroid disorder.

Plan to avoid eating foods that are high in fat. Ezetrol is not as effective at lowering your cholesterol levels is you are not following a cholesterol-lowering diet plan and exercising.

Ezetrol Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• amlodipine
• aspirin
• atenolol
• cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran)
• colesevelam (Welchol)
• colestipol (Colestid)
• Crestor (rosuvastatin)
• cyclosporines (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Fish Oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)
• Furosemide
• gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• hydrochlorothiazide
• levothyroxine
• Lipitor (atorvastatin)
• lisinopril
• metformin
• metoprolol
• Nexium (esomeprazole)
• omeprazole
• Plavix (clopidogrel)
• Zocor (simvastatin)
• Synthroid (levothyroxine)
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Ezetrol. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Ezetrol

Ezetrol is usually prescribed as a medication to take once daily, with or without food. You should take Ezetrol exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may change your dose to make sure that you get the best results from Ezetrol. You should follow the instructions on your prescription label and not take Ezetrol for longer than recommended by your doctor, or in larger or smaller doses.

Ezetrol is usually taken once daily, with food, and at the same time each day.

It may take 2 weeks of treatment with Ezetrol before you notice improved cholesterol levels. You may also need to take Ezetrol on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Ezetrol is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Ezetrol needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Ezetrol you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Ezetrol Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Ezetrol and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• chest pain
• clay colored stools
• confusion
• difficulty breathing
• exhaustion
• fever with a sore throat, headache and a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
• hives
• jaundice
• muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
• nausea with stomach pain and appetite loss
• pancreatitis (symptoms include severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, and a fast heart rate);
• swelling, especially of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• urine that is dark colored

Less serious side effects of Ezetrol may include:

• back pain
• cold symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose
• cough
• depression
• diarrhea (mild)
• dizziness
• headache
• indigestion
• insomnia
• joint pain
• muscle pain (mild)
• numbness or tingly feeling
• stomach pain
• tired feeling

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Ezetrol. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Ezetrol Description and Dosing

Ezetrol is available as a 10 mg white to off-white, capsule-shaped tablet, debossed with “414” on one side.

Anyone taking Ezetrol should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Ezetrol you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Ezetrol

The primary active ingredient in Ezetrol is ezetimibe. Additional, inactive ingredients include croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, and sodium laurylsulfate.

Back to Top

The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.