Interactions
Top 7 in Top 7 Things to Know About Ezetimibe
Medicines that interact with ezetimibe may reduce its effectiveness, increase its side effects, or alter how other medications work. An interaction between two medications does not always necessitate the discontinuation of one of them; however, it can. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about how to handle drug interactions.
- Bile acid sequestrants: Ezetimibe should be taken 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking a bile acid sequestrant (such as cholestyramine). Taking these medications at the same time may reduce ezetimibe absorption and effectiveness.
- Cyclosporine: Combining ezetimibe and cyclosporine may increase blood levels of both drugs and worsen side effects for one or both. Consult your doctor before combining these two medications. Cyclosporine levels in your blood may need to be checked. Fenofibrate: Combined use may result in increased ezetimibe blood levels. Both medications can be harmful to the gallbladder, and their effects are amplified when taken together. Fibrates can cause cholesterol gallstones by increasing cholesterol excretion into the bile.
- Fibrates may increase cholesterol excretion into the bile, resulting in cholesterol gallstones. Gallbladder side effects include severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, unusual weakness, or fever. If you experience any of these side effects, please contact your doctor. A special gallbladder study and/or a medication change may be required.
- Fibrates: Coadministration of ezetimibe with fibrates other than fenofibrate is not recommended until additional research is completed.
- Statins: If ezetimibe is combined with another medication, such as a statin, serious interactions such as liver disease and severe muscle problems (rhabdomyolysis) may occur.
- Warfarin: If you take warfarin and ezetimibe, your doctor will closely monitor your INR.
It should be noted that this list is not exhaustive and only includes common medications that may interact with ezetimibe. For a complete list of interactions with ezetimibe, consult the prescribing information.
