Ezetimibe User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2019

For High Cholesterol "My cholesterol is/was at 235, and through a Doppler, discovered my left interior carotid artery is 100 percent occluded, but got somewhat lucky with some strong collateral arteries. My doctor immediately put me on statins...a big no-go on all of them, each one I tried (5) had horrible side effects immediately. Fog-like state, shortness of breath, muscle cramps, depression, it was terrible. One of my sisters was put on Zetia with no side effects, and her cholesterol went from over 300 down to 80. I begged my doctor to let me at least try it, and I've just passed the 1-week mark with just a couple of small side effects: tingly legs twice and bloating. So far, I love this ezetimibe, however, the proof will be in 2 months when my cholesterol is rechecked. I am a 65-year-old female."

• GCa...
• August 11, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking Ezetimibe, generic for Zetia, for one year with no side effects. With drug RX card, I pay $25.00 every 90 days. My cholesterol is down to 200 from 238, I still have too little good cholesterol, but it's better than the pain I get with statins."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I am on Ezetimibe 10 mg together with Simvastatin 20 mg for four weeks. In the meantime, I stopped Fenofibrate 134 mg. It seems effective to reduce LDL-Cholesterol by 25%, total cholesterol by 30%. Don't know why my triglyceride level was cut in half from 200 to ~100. So far, don't have much side effect, but will watch in the next 3 months."

• Mic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 4, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I wasn’t sure if I could stay on Zetia at first because my blood pressure was lower than usual (78/56), and I had shortness of breath with extreme fatigue. I secretly took only half a pill and half of my blood pressure medication for a while (not recommended). Almost a month later, everything leveled out, and I’m now taking a full dose of both meds with none of the problems listed. I had a lipid panel at the 4-month mark, and my values were all normal, and my LDL dropped 28 points. Best of all, recent lab work shows my liver enzymes as normal, and this was the first medication that didn’t elevate them into the triple digits. I have a bit of back pain along the spine, but nothing major. I’m not sure if it’s the Zetia or just me. Unless it gets unbearable, I’m gonna stay the course. $30 for the generic 90-day supply with insurance. Very pleased so far."

• Mik...
• November 3, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Have been unable to tolerate statins, so doc recommended Zetia. The headaches from Zetia are intolerable. I am stopping them. If I don’t, I will end up damaging my kidneys by taking too much ibuprofen just to get through the day."

• ngu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2024

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I started taking ezetimibe almost 2 years ago at age 67. I have been taking statins ever since they were available. I have taken Zocor, Lipitor, and Rosuvastatin in the last 5 years. I had minor side effects until the generic Zetia was added. First, I had a persistent cough, then I had neck pain that wouldn't go away. I also had Covid, so couldn't pinpoint the problem to this drug. Then I developed tendinitis and muscle pain in my arms. I had to have months of neck PT, and now I am getting PT for my arms. One of the doctors thought the combination of the drugs I am taking might cause tendon and muscle ruptures. The only reason I am not rating this medicine lower is because of the difficulty of tying the causes of my ailment to this drug. I certainly think it has something to do with it. While it further lowered my cholesterol, I don't think it is worth it."

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 4, 2024

For High Cholesterol "I had elevated LDL but a good level of HDL. I take this medication every other day or just before meals that might be overly fatty. It has brought my LDL down 30 points and my total is now under 200. I have had no side effects."

• Ezz...
• March 25, 2017

Ezetimibe "Was notified recently that the expensive drug Zetia now has a generic version called Ezetimibe, however, Zetia is a tier 3 drug and Ezetimibe is a tier 4 drug, which means I will be paying even more than before since my plan will no longer carry Zetia after June 1, 2017. Unbelievable!!"

• Den...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I was reading this blog with interest. I'm a Canadian. You are being ripped off in the U.S., I am sorry to say. I am on 5 mg of Crestor and 10 mg of ezetimibe, and I do not have insurance. In Canada, our social health insurance pays for the doctor but not prescriptions unless you are a senior. The cost of these two drugs together is just under $20.00 per month. Yes, not $200.00, but $20.00. I suggest you vote to put pressure on the drug manufacturers to reduce their pricing structures. And by the way, I have tolerated both with no side effects, and my cholesterol numbers for total are very low. My cardiologist is happy, and so am I."

• Bee...
• July 2, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Has lowered bad cholesterol and raised good cholesterol, but - not sure if ezetimibe (10 mg) or other medications. Feel completely exhausted, cannot tolerate statins (pain). Changed PCP's (an endocrinologist put me on this medicine + Synjardy XR + amiloride < due to low potassium). Also blood pressure medications - Lisinopril 20 mg + Amlodipine Besylate 10 mg? Overmedicated? Have an appointment with PCP tomorrow to discuss. Had very recent metabolic profile + Hgb A1C = 5.7, so good BP - 127/67 pulse 67. I take BP medication Lisinopril and Amlodipine Besylate at night as too tired if taken in the day. I take Synjardy and ezetimibe and amiloride in the morning, from endocrinologist last July and great diabetic control med - diet and home testing. NOTE: I have lost > 40+ pounds since August 2018 and dropped from 44 waist to 36-38. I am a male - Yes, I adjusted my diet, but not that radical. Help? Panic? Will post > but (IMO) medication(s) cause fatigue."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I have inactive CAD, so recently my cardiologist suggested Zetia to lower my bad cholesterol, which, although not very high, is still higher than where it is recommended. I decided to wait on starting the med until I had my annual checkup with my primary doctor, and she ran a new blood panel. I was happy to see my LDL had dropped 20 points, but still 30 points over the optimum level of 70. So I thought I would give Zetia a try, but still nervous because of potential side effects since I am very drug sensitive and have had adverse reactions to statins and some other drugs. I only took 1/2 tab yesterday to test it out, and I thought I felt a sensation later on my tongue. Tried 1/2 again today, and about a half hour later felt another sensation like numbness on my tongue and the roof of my mouth. So that's it for me. Can't speak to the drug's effectiveness. I will continue to take lecithin, as I have been doing to work on lowering my cholesterol further through exercise and diet."

• Suf...
• August 6, 2021

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Doctor prescribed 10 mg of ezetimibe (Zetia), 1 dose a day. After 1 mo, I was feeling tired, with sore muscles. I thought I was working out too much, walking, yoga, jazzercise, jogging, so I slowed down. By 6th wk, the muscle pain and weakness was so bad I could barely lift my arms. I was extremely tired, the muscle and joint pain from my chest up is excruciating! It's in my jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, and hands. I've been off the drug for just over a month, and now the muscle pain and weakness is moving down to my hips and legs. Blood work showed severe liver and muscle damage. Extreme high CK 1182 even after being off the drug for a month. I was an active, fully functional middle-aged female, now I feel like a 90-year-old with RA! 5 years ago, I was on a statin. I ended up in the hospital with a stroke. Took 6 mo to get statin out of body. Cardiologist and neuro said I had no cardio problems and it was the statin that caused the stroke and TIAs. Cholesterol drugs are bad for you."

• RJP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Reduced LDL by about 25%, good. But made me feel terrible, disrupted my already tenuous sleep. I tried it 3 times, same result each time. Too bad, as it works to reduce LDL. Need to try something else."

• Sma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Was having some heart issues (fluttering, tightening in chest). Went to the hospital. Ran tests and found the heart issue was a fluke, but my cholesterol was high, which I knew. Can't take statins. Told the doctor not to put me on any statins. Had me take Ezetimibe (Zetia). I was really hesitant. Took approximately 2 days before the rash and severe hives appeared. 3rd day it was from my neck down to my knees with severe rash and raised hives. Back to the ER. Put me on 50 mg of Prednisone for 5 days. The doctor told me to NEVER take it again. Wish they would listen. Was out of work for a couple of days until the hives/rash started to subside. Awful few days. Prednisone was giving me grief, also, but helped with the rash/hives."

• TMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2018

For High Cholesterol "Started taking ezetimibe 10 mg on 7/1/18. Diarrhea and pain in the left side of the back by 7/4/18. Taking this along with Simvastatin. Can't continue on the ezetimibe with the back pain, especially, so will stop until my Dr. and I can figure out another alternative as the Simvastatin 20 mg alone not doing it."

• sta...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Ezetimibe has replaced previous statins. Over 17 years, I had tried most common brands of statin following 95% blocked LAD (left anterior descending artery). Similar side effects to others: back pain, leg ache, not sleeping well. Cholesterol reduced to half previous level. Ezetimibe, however, I have no problem at all tolerating. My brother, who has a similar condition, is exactly the opposite!"

• Wix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I took Ezetimibe for 3 days and felt dizzy and sick with headaches. I had a dry mouth, and it felt like I had a lump in my throat when swallowing. I left it for a couple of weeks, thinking I would try again when they were 'out of my system.' Two weeks later, after doing a walk (which I usually do most days), which involved steps, I had so much pain in my thigh muscles I could hardly walk the next day. I tried two more tablets after that, this time taking them at bedtime, but had, and am still having two weeks later, muscle pains and weird dreams. I woke up screaming one night after a nightmare."

• Ali...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 6, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I added Zetia, 10mg, to my 40mg daily Crestor, and it drastically improved my HDL (I was routinely around low 40s, and with Zetia, it went to mid 50s). My LDL was also improved (was 120+/-, and with Zetia, it went below 100). I have had no side effects with either of the medications."

• PJS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2025

For High Cholesterol "Got on generic Ezetimibe 10 mg/day to lower LDL 6 months ago, and it works for me with zero side effects. My LDL after 2 months on it came down to 100 from 143. Nice reduction of about 30%, and ApoB went down 20%. Good result for a cheap generic that is $6/month. I simply cannot believe the odd and extreme side effects others report, I don't feel it changed a thing, and I've been as active and energetic as ever. Just add to my daily vitamins and supplements. All it does is lower how much cholesterol you absorb in your gut. I am also taking psyllium husk fiber, which is also good for lowering cholesterol. We'll see what it does to the numbers in my next test."

• Zuz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2023

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I can’t take statins due to late-onset muscular dystrophy. The cardiologist prescribed Ezetimibe. After being on it for several weeks, I had severe upper abdominal pain to where I thought I should go to the ER. I’m still experiencing a lot of pain every time I eat, even though I stopped this drug over a month ago. I saw the GI doc and have an endoscopy scheduled, but he didn’t even check my liver enzymes or do any blood tests. I’m thinking I should ask for these tests based on other reviews."

• Myc...
• January 29, 2021

For High Cholesterol "After a heart attack, I started Vytorin (Zetia & Zocor). My total cholesterol dropped to 120. When components went generic, I took Ezetimibe and Simvastatin. My first Ezetimibe was from Impax Labs. I had about 2 weeks of diarrhea in conjunction with the change. I got back on Vytorin for 3 months, and diarrhea promptly cleared up. Guessing all generics are not exactly the same, I found different manufacturing for Ezetimibe via Walgreens, and had no problems since. The doctor ran an experiment for three months by dropping Ezetimibe, and my total cholesterol went up to 135. I got back on Ezetimibe, and my cholesterol went back down. I concluded the combination works well for me. I take it and my other medications during the evening soon after dinner with a small amount of food. I believe Ezetimibe allows me to control cholesterol with the smallest amount of statin drug, thereby reducing stress on my liver."

• Ren...
• December 31, 2021

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "My cholesterol ran high, then spiked to 350 despite a strict diet. Started statins, they helped but not enough. Started Ezetimibe and cholesterol down in the 150s after 6 weeks. My body aches terribly at times, my hands and hips are the worst-but that’s from the statins. Probably got a little worse with adding this drug. However, I already have a 70% blockage, so I am sticking with it. I also had loose stool issues with starting Ezetimibe for about 4 weeks, but that has greatly improved."

• Jon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 13, 2021

For High Cholesterol "TC was 320. Was on statins and Zetia for 10 years until I decided to try a whole food, plant-based diet (WFPB). TC dropped to 146, TG: 60, APOB: 86. Wanted to get APOB down under 70. Worked brilliantly. I’ve NEVER had a reaction to Zetia and am only too happy to be back on it. I consider arterial health as being a prime longevity factor and want to ensure no hardening from any causes."

• Bre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 12, 2022

"Had a heart attack 15 years ago with normal cholesterol levels, total 165. Doctors put me on high doses of statins, which completely froze my body, it was really bad! I tried low doses with the same results. The doctor took me off the statins and put me on ezetimibe. Been on it for 14 years, total at 145 and LDL between 70-78 with a diet that's not bad but could be better. My doctor is still not happy and would like LDL under 70. The doctor wants me back on a low dose of statins, but it will NOT happen. At 66, I want some quality of life! Ezetimibe has helped, I have some mild abdominal discomfort at times, but overall tolerable."

• Dai...
• March 23, 2025

For High Cholesterol "I disagree with most of you on this drug. It is a godsend, and it has only had good side effects for me. Recently, I was found to have extensive calcium deposits in the biggest coronary artery. A blockage in that artery nearly killed my father at age 58. Three of my four grandparents died of strokes. I have not had perfect control with pravastatin, but am stuck with it because I have mutated cytochromes, which cannot handle hydrophobic statins. The same mutated cytochromes would make me unable to take many cardiac drugs, so prevention is key. My new cardiologist ran tests of my apolipoprotein A and B and said the results show I probably have familial hypercholesterolemia. She started me on ezetimibe 7 weeks ago. My ApoLP-B is ↓ 8 pts, cholesterol ↓ 15 pts, triglycerides ↓ 5 pts, VLDL- ↓ 1 pt, LDL ↓ 20 points, and my good HDL ↑ 6 pts. I have had no nausea or other symptoms. My weight has dropped to normal, my chronic constipation gone."