A common problem faced by many people these days is high cholesterol levels. Sometimes your doctor may have prescribed you a medicine to control your cholesterol. But in some cases, it is difficult to control your cholesterol levels with just one medicine. In such cases, doctors recommend a combination pill that contains two types of medicines. Today we are going to talk about one such medicine, the combination of two medicines called Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe.
Simply put, what is this medicine?
This is actually a combination of two medications. That is, one pill contains two types of medication.
1. Rosuvastatin: This belongs to a class of drugs called 'statins'. It works by reducing the amount of "bad" cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) produced by our liver. Simply put, it controls the production of the liver, which is like a cholesterol factory.
2. Ezetimibe: This drug works in a completely different way. It blocks the absorption of cholesterol from the food we eat from the intestines.
The most important thing is that this medicine should be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle . That is, a good diet and exercise are the only way to get the most out of this medicine. This is not a solution for boredom.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she will need to know your complete medical history. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
- If you have diabetes .
- If you drink more than two glasses of alcohol a day .
- If you have any liver or kidney disease.
- If you often feel pain or stiffness in your muscles (muscle cramps).
- If you are of Asian descent (some medications may affect Asian people differently).
- If you have any problems with your thyroid gland .
- If you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding . (This is very important!)
- If you have previously had an allergic reaction to these medications (rosuvastatin, ezetimibe), other medications, foods, or preservatives.
How to use the medicine correctly?
- Take this pill at the same time every day , exactly as the doctor prescribed. That way, you won't forget and the medicine will work better.
- Do not break, crush, or chew this tablet. Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
- You can take it before or after meals, but if you experience any stomach discomfort, it is better to take it with food .
- Special warning: If you are taking an antacid for heartburn (especially those containing aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide), you should take this cholesterol pill at least two hours after taking the antacid.
- If you miss a dose: Don't worry. Forget the missed dose and take one pill at the next scheduled time. Never take two pills at once.
- If you accidentally take too much: If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Some medications, foods, and supplements can interact with this medicine. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter, herbal remedies, vitamins).
| Type | Things to be especially careful about |
|---|---|
| What should never be taken | Herbal medicines such as red yeast rice. |
| Other cholesterol medications | Other cholesterol medications such as Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate, Niacin. |
| Antibiotics and antifungals | Drugs like Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole. |
| Medicines for HIV or Hepatitis | Antiviral drugs such as Ritonavir and Atazanavir. |
| Other medications | Cyclosporine, Warfarin (a blood thinner), Colchicine (for gout ), Digoxin (for heart disease). |
| Food and drink | Grapefruit juice and alcohol. |
| Birth control pills | If you are using birth control pills, tell your doctor about that as well. |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Regular check-ups: Keep seeing your doctor to see if the medication is working and if your cholesterol levels have decreased. Get the necessary blood tests (lipid profile) done.
- Muscle pain: Some people may experience muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness while taking this medicine. This is rare, but it can be serious. If you experience this, tell your doctor right away .
- Blood sugar levels: This medication may cause a slight increase in blood sugar levels in some people. Be careful if you have diabetes.
- Pregnancy: Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. If you are planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about it beforehand.
- Surgery: If you are going to have any surgery or tooth extraction, tell the doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. Most of the time, these are not serious. But there are some symptoms that we should be especially aware of.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite. |
| Symptoms of muscle damage | Dark urine, difficulty urinating, muscle pain with excessive fatigue, back pain. |
| Other serious symptoms | Confusion, memory loss, skin blistering or peeling. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Headache, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, constipation or diarrhea. |
Take-Home Message
- Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe are a combination of two cholesterol-controlling medications. One controls production in the liver and the other controls absorption in the intestine.
- To get the most out of this medicine, a good diet and exercise are essential.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you may have.
- This medicine is absolutely not suitable if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- If you experience symptoms such as severe muscle pain, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes, see your doctor immediately.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you by your doctor only. Do not share it with others.
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