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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Zetia Contain Any Statin Drug In It?

I ve battled with high cholesterol for many years, 10-15 at least. First iven a statin drug 2007 or 08 but was allergic to it. I broke out with small bumps/rash around my mouth, inside my mouth & few other symptoms I can t remember at this time. My doctor took me off that drug & told me not to ever take statin drugs again & at that time there wasn t anything else I could take. My numbers were high, close to 400, so I tried to control it with diet choices. The numbers wouldn t come down very much. 2013 I was given another drug, I can t remember that one bt I was also allergic to it. With numbers around 300 I tried hard to control it with diet still bt not much luck. Now my new doctor wanted to give me another statin drug bt I m still allergic. So she s given me another drug, Zetia & said it isn t a statin drug bt many family/friends hv said it really is. I ve been taking it now for about 3wks & haven t noticed any outstanding symptoms bt I seem to be having excessive lethargy in general, irritable, seems like muscle weakness . So my question is- Does Zetia have ANY statin drugs in it? & Exactly what is in Zetia?
Wed, 21 Dec 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi & Welcome.

Zetia does not contain Statin in it.

Statins are the cholesterol lowering drugs which work by decreasing the formation of cholesterol in the lower.

Whereas Zetia (Ezetimibe) also reduces the amount of cholesterol but by a different mechanism. It prevents the absorption of cholesterol and phytosterol from the intestine (dietary fat we consume).

The most common side effects of Statins and Ezetimibe include myopathy (muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness), liver dysfunction, and stomach upset.

Based on the history you seem to have developed some features of myopathy, hence I would advise you to stop taking Zetia and consult your treating doctor for an alternate effective but a safer cholesterol lowering medication like Cholestyramine (which does not cause those side effects).

Hope the advice given above would be useful.
Kindly rate the answer if you are convinced.
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Does Zetia Contain Any Statin Drug In It?

Hi & Welcome. Zetia does not contain Statin in it. Statins are the cholesterol lowering drugs which work by decreasing the formation of cholesterol in the lower. Whereas Zetia (Ezetimibe) also reduces the amount of cholesterol but by a different mechanism. It prevents the absorption of cholesterol and phytosterol from the intestine (dietary fat we consume). The most common side effects of Statins and Ezetimibe include myopathy (muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness), liver dysfunction, and stomach upset. Based on the history you seem to have developed some features of myopathy, hence I would advise you to stop taking Zetia and consult your treating doctor for an alternate effective but a safer cholesterol lowering medication like Cholestyramine (which does not cause those side effects). Hope the advice given above would be useful. Kindly rate the answer if you are convinced.