W o r l d M a g s ;
Z£7M*(EZETIMIBE) TABLETS
PATIENT INFORMATION ABOUT
ZETIA
(zet-e-a)
Generic name: ezetimibe (e-zet'-e-mib)
Read this information carefully before you starttaking ZETIA
and eachtimeyou get moreZETIA.There may be new information.
This information does nottakethe place of talking with your
doctor about your medical condition or yourtreatment. If you have
any questions about ZETIA, ask your doctor Only your doctor
can determine if ZETIA is rightforyou.
WHAT IS
ZETIA?
ZETIA is a medicine used to lowerlevels 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.
Itcan be used by itself or with other medicines to treat high
cholesterol. You should stay on a cholesterol-lowering dietwhile
takingthis medicine.
ZETIA works to reduce the amountof cholesterol your body
absorbs. ZETIA does not helpyou lose weight.ZETIAhas not been
shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.
For more Information about cholesterol, see the "Whatshould I know
about high cholesterol?" section that follows.
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE
ZETIA
?
*
Do nottakeZETIA if you are allergic to ezetimibe,the active
ingredientin ZETIA, ortothe inactive ingredients. For a list of
inactive ingredients, seethe "Inactive ingredients" section
that follows.
*
If you have active liver disease, do nottake ZETIA while taking
cholesterol-lowering medicines called statins.
*
If you are pregnantorbreast-feeding, do nottake ZETIA while
taking a statin.
*
If you 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 underage 10.
WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY DOCTOR BEFORE
AND WHILE TAKING
ZETIA?
Tell your doctor aboutany prescription and non-prescription
medicines you are taking or plan to take, 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 pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss with
you whether ZETIA is rightforyou.
*
are breast-feeding. We do notknow if ZETIA can pass to your
babythrough your milk. Your doctor will discuss with you whether
ZETIAis rightforyou.
*
experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, orweakness.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE
ZETIA!
*
Take ZETIA once a day, with or without food. Itmay be easier to
remembertotake your dose ifyou do it at the same time every
day, such as with breakfast, dinner, or atbedtime. Ifyou also take
another medicine to reduce your cholesterol, ask your doctor if
you cantake them atthe same time.
*
If you forget to take ZETIA, take itas soon asyou remember
However, do nottake more than one dose of ZETIA a day,
*
Continue tofollowa cholesterol-lowering dietwhiletaking
ZETIA. Askyour doctor ifyou need diet information,
*
Keeptaking ZETIAunlessyour doctor tells youto stop, ftis
importantthatyou keeptaking ZETIAeven ifyou do notfeelsick.
See yourdoctorregularlyto checkyour cholesterol level and
to check for side effects. Your doctor may do bloodteststo
checkyour liver before youstarttakingZETIAwith a statin and
duringtreatment.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF
ZETIA
?
In clinical studies patients reported few side effects while
taking ZETIA. These included diarrhea, joint pains, and
feeling tired.
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, contactyour doctor immediately.
You need to 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 reactionsfwhich may require treatment
rightaway) including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or
throatthatmay cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing,
rash, and hives; raised red rash,sometimes with target-shaped
tesions; 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.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT HIGH CHOLESTEROL?
LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol because it can build
up inthe wait of your arteries and form plaque. Overtime, plaque
build-up can cause a narrowing of the arteries. This narrowing
can slow or block bloodflowto your heart, brain, and other organs.
High LDLcholesterol is a majorcause of heartdisease and one of
the causes for stroke,
HDLcholesterol is called "good" cholesterol because it keepsthe
bad cholesterol from building up inthe arteries.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT
ZETIA
Medicines aresometimes prescribed forconditionsthatare not
mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do notuse ZETIA for
a conditionforwhich it was not prescribed. Do notgiveZETlAto
other people, even if they have the same condition you have.
Itmay harm them,
Thissummarizesthe 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.
Manufactured for:
Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals
North Wales, PA19454, USA
Cholesterol is a type of fat found inyour blood. Yourtotal
cholesterol is made up of LDLand HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides also are fats found
in y o u r
blood.
Tell your doctor if you are having these or any other medical
problems while on ZETIA. Fora complete listof side effects,
ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Inactive ingredients;
Croscarmelfose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium
stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone,and sodium
lauryl sulfate.
Issued July 2009
REV 21
29480885T
w
20950001 (10)(885)-ZET
