Ezetimibe and Muscle Pain: What Users Say

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I cannot take statins as they tank my depression. I am a disabled veteran and have had my depression under control for several years now. My general practitioner at the VA put me on Zetia for cholesterol. I took it for approximately 4 days. My depression got so bad that I stopped it today and notified my psychiatrist and my general practitioner that I was stopping it as of today. I spent the last two days crying because I felt so bad. I also was extremely tired, and my joints and muscles were hurting. This is just how the statins affected me. If you suffer from depression, run away from this drug as fast as you can!! It works very quickly and can catch you completely off guard!"

• Pet...
• June 11, 2017

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I am 66 and have been taking Zetia 10 for nearly 5 years now. I had previously taken Zocor, Mevacor, and Crestor consecutively over a period of about 15 years, each giving me severe muscle pain in my feet and legs. At one point, the pain in my arches was so bad that one doctor diagnosed the problem as plantar fasciitis and recommended surgery. That's when I stopped taking any statins and within a couple of months, the pain was completely gone. When I started taking Zetia, I saw no adverse side effects and my bad cholesterol went down a little. About a year ago, I started having pain and weakness in my legs when standing up or climbing stairs. Now, I have pain in my left calf and heel and occasionally in my left arm, shoulder, and back."

• Phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Was on lovastatin for years. Cholesterol remained steady with no problems. He decided he wanted it lower so put me on Ezetimibe and took me off Lovastatin. My cholesterol went up so he asked me to take both... big mistake. Muscle pain so severe after 2 weeks I had to stop. Why are drug companies inventing things that do not work?"

• Jer...
• March 17, 2013

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I took Zocor for 10 years before developing muscle pain. Since then it's been trial and error with several different statins. In each case, I developed muscle pain in essentially the same area of my body, right buttocks, and hip. Most recently, I was put on Zetia without any statin. After two months, the pain returned to the same area, only much more severe than before and more persistent."

• TLC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

For High Cholesterol "My husband began ezetimibe less than two weeks ago because of his intolerance of statins. Like many of the other patients on this thread, he has experienced severe joint pain in hips and elbows, severe back pain, muscle pain in arms and legs, insomnia, depression, chills, cough, and general flu-like malaise. He is exhausted from lack of sleep. The discomfort is so great that sleep is impossible. He has always been a stoic individual when not feeling well but not so now! A light bulb went off when he thought it might be this medicine. Sure enough, this tiny white pill is the culprit. It has been three days since the last dose and his symptoms are still raging on."

• Wat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2022

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "My cardiologist put me on statins over 2021, 80 mg, 40, 20, 10, then changed to Crestor 5, then 2.5 mg. I cannot tolerate them, period. Now, he put me on Zetia, which I resisted for about a month, but he insisted I try them. By the 3rd day, I have muscle pain in my arms, cramps in my legs and feet, diarrhea, queasy stomach, severe headaches, dizziness, and insomnia. My non-fasting cholesterol is 225/85. I am stopping Zetia, and I pray that all these side effects go away within days. No one can live like this. I have a good diet, but will work at it even harder because I will NOT take this poison again. If you have had good results, I am happy for you, but if you experience what I have, get off them now."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2011

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "Tried several statins but both resulted in terrible muscle pain despite working to reduce both LDL and HDL levels. After switching to Zetia, no more muscle pains while lowering my LDL and maintaining my HDL levels."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2017

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "Took Zetia at 10:30 at night with my pravastatin 30mg. By 2:00 AM, I woke with horrible leg and arm muscle pain. Never had issues on the low dose of pravastatin, but now, 2 days later, my legs still burn. I cannot stand it and hope it goes away. Never again. I had the same problems with Lipitor, only this is not going away yet. Not worth it."

• Por...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I do not recommend this drug; this is the 2nd drug I have tried for high cholesterol. My doctor said this one would not cause muscle pain; it did! In less than 4 weeks on this drug, I lost complete use of my right arm and knee, had severe back pain, the bloating was so bad that it pushed up against my chest wall, then the pain went into my chest and under my breasts. The final thing that happened that convinced me to never take another cholesterol drug was lightning bolts in my heart; that was scary! The sad thing about this drug was the cost: $173.99 with insurance for 3 months. I spoke to CVS, and there's nothing they can do. I wasted $173.99 and have 2 1/2 months of this drug left. I'm sharing this to warn you; this drug is so awful, and it's very expensive. It will damage your heart muscle, kidneys, and liver. I prefer to change my diet and lose some weight; not worth the risks nor the pain it causes. Thank you for reading and make wise choices."

• Mud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Statins gave me severe muscle pains, nightmares, etc., so Dr. prescribed Ezetimibe. First 10 days great then I began to develop a small pain in the lower back, kidney area, and it went away about 1 hr. On the 6th week, the pain was 24 hours a day and so extreme I couldn't sleep more than 2 hrs at a time. I stopped taking it, and within 30 or so hrs, the pain ceased in my left lower back, kidney area, and now finally, 6 days later, no pain. The day after I stopped taking it, I had a blood test which showed basically no benefit whatsoever in taking this. Let me add that I have had my thyroid completely removed and am taking Synthroid."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I've been on this drug for 5 days and already feel like a giant yuck. Muscle pain, hip pain so severe I can't get up and start walking. Foot and ankle pain waking me up all night, diarrhea early in the morning, exhausted. Can't take statins. Gonna give up."

• 65...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I'm a 65-year-old female who cannot take statins because they cause severe hip, joint, and muscle pain. I was put on ezetimibe and am now having the same issues along with severe lower back pain and tiredness - the side effects are horrible. I stopped taking this drug about a month ago, and I am still waiting for it to leave my body and get back to normal. I can't even walk 2 blocks without suffering. I don't recommend this drug to anyone, it's not worth it! 10 MG was the dosage... never ever am I taking another cholesterol drug. More harm than good!"

• mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2021

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I was put on Zetia when I could not take statins because of severe muscle pain. Three weeks in, I started having pain in my elbow and both shoulders. I stopped the medication, so I ended up taking it for less than one month. Six months later, after stopping the medication, still the pain did not go away."

• Gar...
• August 24, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Multiple statins over the years caused severe muscle aches in the lower body, fatigue, stomach pain, and scary loss of memory and focus. Took months but dramatic improvement after stoppage. Have talked to many people with identical experiences. Been on ezetimibe for two months. Experiencing pain and swelling in the left hand, wrist, and forearm, body fatigue, sudden short bouts of liquid diarrhea, waking up during the night sleep absolutely drenched and awash in perspiration, loss of muscular strength, and increasing loss of mental focus. Talked today to a friend having comparable symptoms. Stopping this drug immediately."

• ejn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I have used this for a few months, as I cannot take a statin due to muscle pains. During this period, I developed a stiff shoulder that later progressed to a frozen shoulder. Worse, I had problems with focused thinking, and because of my lack of focused thinking, I only noticed this at 6 weeks. As I am a teacher, I immediately quit using it. I was lucky this happened in the school holidays. I have no idea what it did for my cholesterol, as the second side effect I noticed was such that I felt unable to continue it."

• Mee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I have been on statins for the last 4 years. Was placed on Crestor last December, and I had serious adverse effects like dizziness, loss of balance by taking just 2 times. Later placed back on Lipitor 20 mg, and then since September 9, Lipitor was reduced to 10 mg, and Ezetimibe 10 mg was added. Now I have severe joint and muscle pain with mood swings, which I can't explain. How often should liver function tests be taken, especially when I have had a cholecystectomy done? What other options are there to reduce high LDL? With no family history of diabetes, I now have high levels of HBA1C 6.5-7.2 thanks to statins. Can anyone reading this reply to me? I will be very thankful. Take care, all statin users."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Sore shoulders and neck pain. Taking this with a statin, and I stopped the ezetimibe after two months. It has been two weeks off the drug and still sore, although not as bad, read that it can take up to two months for your muscles to heal."

• Cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2018

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "After taking this drug for a week, I experienced severe joint and muscle pain, stomach pain, and headaches. Disappointing as I am unable to take statins for the same reason. Will just have to contend with high cholesterol."

• 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."

• 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."

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I had some muscle pain and joint pain the first week, but now that is gone. My biggest complaint is urinary retention. I can barely go to the bathroom. It takes a long time to empty my bladder, which I believe does not empty fully. My stomach and abdomen are very distended, and that's very uncomfortable."

• fgr...
• June 25, 2013

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I have been using Zetia for two years. I am also having extreme muscle pain with profuse sweating when I get too hot."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I didn't get on with statins - muscle aches. I have been taking this for several years with absolutely no side effects, and my cholesterol level keeps my doctor happy."

• Not...
• October 22, 2015

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I took 1 Zetia and my throat swelled up. I wound up in the ER, getting IV steroids and Benadryl. I will never take it again. I cannot take statins due to terrible muscle pain."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2010

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "So far no muscle pain with this medication. Very expensive, over $100 for 1 month supply, and no generic."