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Does Zetia (ezetimibe) cause weight gain/loss or muscle aches/pains?

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 6, 2023.

Does ezetimibe cause side effects like muscle aches and pains?

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Zetia (ezetimibe) did not cause weight loss or weight gain in Ezetimibe clinical trials.

In a review and analysis of 2722 people on ezetimibe it was reported that the safety of ezetimibe was well documented. Side effects were at a similar rate for patients that took ezetimibe to those patients that took placebo tablets.

Also, does Zetia (ezetimibe) cause muscle aches and pains?

The review showed that patients on ezetimibe do not have an increased risk of muscle aches and pains. Patients who have had to discontinue a statin medicine due to muscle aches and pain are often prescribed Ezetimibe due to its lower risk of this side effect.

Bottom line:

  • Ezetimibe does not cause weight gain or weight loss
  • Ezetimibe has a well documented safety profile
  • Ezetimibe has low risk for the side effect of muscle ache and pains.
References

Read next

Memory loss is not a side effect of Zetia (ezetimibe) when it is used alone to treat high cholesterol. Zetia is often used with diet and other cholesterol lowering medications like statins which have been linked with cognitive impairment (memory loss, forgetfulness, or confusion). Continue reading

Yes, Zetia (ezetimibe) can cause liver damage, although it is very rare. Monitor liver enzymes for the development of serious toxic hepatitis and consider ezetimibe discontinuation if it develops. Perform liver tests during ezetimibe initiation and regularly thereafter and consider withdrawal of ezetimibe and/or the statin (if coadministered) should an increase in ALT or AST ≥3 X upper limit of normal (ULN) persist. Continue reading

It reduces cholesterol absorption from the small intestine so there is less cholesterol delivered to the liver. This means there is a lower amount of cholesterol stored in the liver, which leads to more cholesterol being cleared from the blood. Continue reading

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