Treating high blood cholesterol along with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It is also used to treat high blood sitosterol and campesterol along with diet therapy.

Zetia is an antihyperlipidemic agent. It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol or other sterols that your body absorbs from your diet.

How to use Zetia :

Use Zetia as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Zetia by mouth with or without food.
• Taking Zetia at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• If you also take a bile acid sequestrant (eg, cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol), do not take it within 4 hours before or 2 hours after taking Zetia . Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• Continue to use Zetia even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Zetia , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zetia .

Before using Zetia :

Some medical conditions may interact with Zetia . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history liver disease or unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zetia . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Fibrates (eg, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil) because the risk of gallstones may be increased
• Cholestyramine because it may decrease Zetia 's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or cyclosporine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Zetia

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zetia may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Do NOT use Zetia if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zetia
• you have moderate to severe liver problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Important safety information:

• Zetia may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zetia with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• For best results, Zetia should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight. Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
• If you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, contact your doctor.
• Lab tests, including liver function and cholesterol levels, may be performed while you use Zetia . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Zetia should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zetia while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zetia is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zetia , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Zetia :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; headache; joint pain; sinus inflammation; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; dark urine; numbness or tingling of the skin; unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; yellowing of the eyes or skin.