Ezetimibe Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 28, 2023.

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipidemia

10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• For use as monotherapy or in combination with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol (total-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hyperlipidemia
• For use as combination therapy with fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia
• For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin to reduce elevated total-C and LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable

Usual Adult Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• For use as monotherapy or in combination with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol (total-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hyperlipidemia
• For use as combination therapy with fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia
• For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin to reduce elevated total-C and LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable

Usual Adult Dose for Sitosterolemia

10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• For use as monotherapy or in combination with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol (total-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hyperlipidemia
• For use as combination therapy with fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia
• For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin to reduce elevated total-C and LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hyperlipidemia

10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• For use as monotherapy or in combination with a statin as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hyperlipidemia
• For use as combination therapy with a fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia
• For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin for the reduction of elevated total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable

Usual Pediatric Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• For use as monotherapy or in combination with a statin as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hyperlipidemia
• For use as combination therapy with a fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia
• For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin for the reduction of elevated total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sitosterolemia

10 years or older: 10 mg orally once a day

Uses:

• For use as monotherapy or in combination with a statin as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hyperlipidemia
• For use as combination therapy with a fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia
• As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia
• For use as combination therapy with atorvastatin or simvastatin for the reduction of elevated total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable

Renal Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Mild liver dysfunction: No adjustment recommended.
Moderate to severe liver dysfunction: Not recommended.

Precautions

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 10 years nor in premenarchal girls.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• Take orally once a day, with or without food
• Take at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after administration of a bile acid sequestrant
• May be taken at same time as the statin or fenofibrate, according to the dosing recommendations for the respective medications
• Consult appropriate manufacturer product information when using this drug in combination with a statin or fenofibrate.

Storage requirements:

• Protect from moisture.

General:

• Therapy with lipid-altering agents should only be a single component of multiple risk factor intervention in patients at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia.
• Drug therapy is indicated as an adjunct to diet when response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has proven inadequate.
• This drug has not been studied in Fredrickson Type I, III, IV, and V dyslipidemias.

Monitoring:

• Hepatic: When used concomitantly with a statin, liver tests should be performed prior to initiating therapy and according to the recommendations of the statin.
• Metabolic: Periodically measure fasting lipid panel.

Patient advice:

• Promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
• Adhere to recommended diet, exercise program, and periodic testing of a fasting lipid panel.

Frequently asked questions

• Does Zetia (ezetimibe) cause memory loss?
• Can Zetia (ezetimibe) cause liver damage?
• How does it work to lower cholesterol?
• Can it cause weight gain or loss?
• What happens if you stop taking it?
• When should you take it?
• Does it lower triglycerides?
• When is the best time to take it?
• Is it a statin drug?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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