A problem that many people in our country are facing right now is high cholesterol levels in the body. Doctors prescribe various medications to treat this. One such medication is Ezetimibe. Maybe you are using this medication, or someone in your family is using it. So, today we will talk about this Ezetimibe pill simply.
What is Ezetimibe? How does it work?
Simply put, Ezetimibe is a drug that lowers your cholesterol levels . However, it is not a `Statin` type of drug that most people are familiar with. It works a little differently.
The cholesterol in the foods we eat is absorbed into our bodies through the small intestine. Ezetimibe works by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the small intestine . This reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol, or LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), in the blood.
The most important thing is that this medicine is not enough on its own. It should be used in conjunction with a good diet and exercise . Only then can you get the best results.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes Ezetimibe for you, it is very important to give him a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to tell him about these things in particular.
- If you have any liver or kidney disease.
- If you experience frequent muscle pain or cramps .
- If you have a thyroid problem.
- If you have allergies to ezetimibe or any other medicine or food.
- If you are pregnant, or expecting a baby (this is very important).
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
When you tell the doctor these details in advance, it will be easier for him to provide you with the most appropriate and safest treatment.
The medicine should be used in the right way.
Using this medicine is very simple.
- Take the pill at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor.
- You can take it before or after meals. If you experience stomach upset, take it with food .
- Continue using it until your doctor tells you to stop.
Special Note: Sometimes your doctor may prescribe another type of medication called a `Bile Acid Sequestrant` for cholesterol. If you are taking one of these medications, you should take Ezetimibe 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking that medication . Taking these two medications together may prevent the body from absorbing Ezetimibe properly.
What do you do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken more than the prescribed dose, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Alternatively, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
What if I miss a dose?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time .
Side effects and interactions with other medications
Like any medication, Ezetimibe has some side effects and interactions with other medications. It is important to be aware of these.
| Information type | Description |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should not be taken with Ezetimibe | Medications like Fenofibrate and Gemfibrozil. |
| Things to use with care | Antacids (syrups/pills for heartburn), Cyclosporine, red yeast rice, other cholesterol-lowering medications. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). |
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | Allergy symptoms: skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Common side effects (if they persist, tell your doctor) | Diarrhea, joint pain. |
Have you had these problems too?
1. Is Ezetimibe a statin?
No. This is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. Statin drugs work by reducing cholesterol production in the liver. The two work differently.
2. Do I need to take this medicine at night?
Definitely not. It's okay to take it at the same time of day that's convenient for you. But as we mentioned earlier, if you're taking another medication like `Bile Acid Sequestrants`, you need to be careful about the timing.
3. Does Ezetimibe cause weight gain?
No. Studies have not found that this medication causes weight gain.
4. How long does this medicine last in the body?
On average, after about 22 hours, half of the medicine you took will be eliminated from your body. A very small amount may remain in your body for about 5 days.
Take-Home Message
- Ezetimibe is a medicine that reduces the body's absorption of cholesterol from the foods we eat.
- This should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise recommended by your doctor.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially liver and kidney) and all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. Do not use this medicine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
- If you experience unusual muscle pain or allergic symptoms (skin rash, swelling), see a doctor immediately.
- Never stop taking your medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice. Always talk to your doctor about this.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න