Zetia - What is it?
Zetia, active ingredient ezetimibe, is a medication that is available by prescription only. It is used to treat high levels of cholesterol. It belongs to the class of medications known as "cholesterol absorption inhibitors."
Who is the maker?
Merck and Schering-Plough are the makers of Zetia.
Zetia Uses
This medication has been approved for the treatment of many conditions that include high cholesterol, either with or without other kinds of cholesterol medication.
How It Works
Zetia belongs to the class of medications known as "cholesterol absorption inhibitors." These medications work in the intestines by blocking your body's absorption of cholesterol that comes from foods you eat. It is unlike others in the fact that it works at what is called the "brush border" of the body's small intestine. Since less cholesterol comes from the digestive tract and goes to the liver, the liver takes cholesterol from the blood, which helps to reduce the levels of cholesterol found in your blood.
The effects of this medication help to reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad cholesterol known as LDLs.
Potential Side Effects
Most of the commonly reported side effects might include: joint pain, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, sinus infections.
Generic Forms of Zetia
Currently, there is no generic form of Zetia on the market.