Z£774K(EZETIMIBE) TABLETS
PATIENT INFORMATION ABOUT
ZETIA
(zet'-e-a)
Generic name: ezetimibe (e-zet-e-mTb)
Read this information carefully before you starttaking ZETIA
and eachtimeyou getmoreZETIA.There maybe new information.
This information does nottake the place of talking with your
doctor aboutyour medical condition oryourtreatment. Ifyou have
any questions aboutZETIA, ask your doctor. Onlyyour doctor
can determine if ZETIA is right for you.
WHAT IS
ZETIA
?
ZETIA is a medicine used to lower levels of total cholesterol and
LDL(bad) cholesterol in the blood. ZETIA is for patients who
cannot control their cholesterol levels by diet and exercise alone.
It can be used by itself or with other medicines to treat high
cholesterol. You should stay on a cholesterol-lowering dietwhile
taking this medicine.
ZETIA works to reduce the amount of cholesterol your body
absorbs. ZETIA does not help you lose weight. ZETIA has not been
shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.
For more information about cholesterol, see the"What should I know
about high cholesterol?" section thatfollows.
WHO SHOULD NOTTAKE
ZETIA
?
• Do nottake ZETIA if you are allergic to ezetimibe, the active
ingredient in ZETIA, or to the inactive ingredients. For a list of
inactive ingredients, see the "Inactive ingredients" section
thatfollows.
• Ifyou have active liver disease, do nottakeZETIA while taking
cholesterol-lowering medicines called statins.
• Ifyou are pregnantor breast-feeding, do nottake ZETIA while
taking a statin.
• Ifyou are a woman of childbearing age,you should use an
effective method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while
using ZETIA added to statin therapy.
ZETIA has not been studied in children under age 10.
WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY DOCTOR BEFORE
AND WHILE TAKING
ZETIA?
Tell your doctor about any prescription and non-prescription
medicines you are taking or plantotake,including natural
or herbal remedies.
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including allergies.
Tell your doctor ifyou:
• ever had liver problems. ZETIA may not be rightforyou.
• are pregnantor planto become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss with
you whether ZETIA is rightforyou.
• are breast-feeding. We do not know if ZETIA can pass to your
baby through your milk. Your doctor will discuss with you whether
ZETIA is rightforyou.
• experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE
ZETIA
?
• TakeZETIAonce a day, with orwithoutfood. Itmay be easierto
remember to take your dose ifyou do it at the same time every
day,such aswith breakfast, dinner, or at bedtime. Ifyou also take
another medicine to reduce your cholesterol, ask your doctor if
you can take them at the same time.
• If you forgetto take ZETIA, take it as soon asyou remember.
Flowever, do nottake more than one dose of ZETIA a day.
• Continue to follow a cholesterol-lowering dietwhiletaking
ZETIA. Askyour doctor ifyou need diet information.
• Keep taking ZETIA unless your doctor tells you to stop. It is
importantthatyou keeptaking ZETIA even ifyou do notfeel sick.
Seeyourdoctorregularlyto checkyour cholesterol level and
to check for side effects. Your doctor may do blood tests to
checkyour liver before you starttaking ZETIA with a statin and
during treatment.
WHATARETHE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
0 ? ZETIA?
In clinical studies patients reported few side effects while
taking ZETIA. These included diarrhea, joint pains, and
feelingtired.
Patients have experienced severe muscle problems while
taking ZETIA, usually when ZETIA was added to a statin drug.
Ifyou experience unexplained muscle pain,tenderness, or
weakness while taking ZETIA, contact your doctor immediately.
You needto do this promptly, because on rare occasions, these
muscle problems can be serious, with muscle breakdown
resulting in kidney damage.
Additionally, the following side effects have been reported in
general use: allergic reactions (which may require treatment
right away) including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or
throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing,
rash, and hives; raised red rash, sometimes with target-shaped
lesions; joint pain; muscle aches; alterations in some
laboratory blood tests; liver problems; stomach pain;
inflammation of the pancreas; nausea; dizziness; tingling
sensation; depression; headache; gallstones; inflammation of
the gallbladder.
Tell your doctor ifyou are having these or any other medical
problems while onZETIA. Fora complete list of side effects,
askyour doctor or pharmacist.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT HIGH CHOLESTEROL?
Cholesterol is a type offatfound in your blood. Your total
cholesterol is made up of LDLand HDLcholesterol.
LDLcholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol because it can build
up in the wall of your arteries and form plaque. Over time, plaque
build-up can cause a narrowing of the arteries. This narrowing
can slow or block blood flowto your heart, brain, and other organs.
High LDL cholesterol is a major cause of heart disease and one of
the causesfor stroke.
HDL cholesterol is called "good" cholesterol because it keeps the
bad cholesterol from building up inthe arteries.
Triglycerides also are fats found in your blood.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT
ZETIA
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions thatare not
mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use ZETIA for
a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ZETIA to
other people, even if they have the same condition you have.
Itmay harm them.
This summarizes the most important information aboutZETIA.
Ifyou would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can
askyour pharmacist or doctor for information aboutZETIA that
is written for health professionals.
Inactive ingredients:
Croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium
stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, and sodium
lauryl sulfate.
Issued July 2009
REV 21
29480885T
(ezetimibe)
Tablets
MERCK/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals
Manufactured for:
Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals
North Wales, PA 19454, USA
20950062(5)(885)-ZET
