Zetia: Side Effects, Dosage, Cost, and More - Healthline

Like most drugs, Zetia may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Zetia may cause. These lists don't include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Zetia. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here's a short list of some of the mild side effects of Zetia that have been reported. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Zetia's prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Zetia when taken by itself may include:

Mild side effects of Zetia when taken with a statin (another kind of cholesterol-lowering drug) may include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about this side effect, see the "Side effect focus" section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Zetia can occur, but they aren't common. If you have serious side effects from Zetia, call your doctor right away. But if you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Zetia that have been reported include:

For more information about these side effects, see "Side effect focus" just below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Zetia may cause.

Liver damage

It's possible to develop increased liver enzyme levels if you're taking Zetia with a statin medication. Increased liver enzymes may be a sign of liver damage. But taking Zetia by itself isn't known to increase your risk of liver damage,.

Symptoms of liver damage may include:

What might help

If you're taking Zetia with a statin, your doctor will check your liver function before you start treatment. And during treatment, they'll recommend certain blood tests to monitor your liver health.

If you notice any symptoms of liver damage, tell your doctor right away. They'll likely have you get other blood tests to check your liver enzyme levels. They may also recommend a different treatment option for your cholesterol.

Joint pain

Joint pain can develop if you're taking Zetia by itself or with a statin. This was one of the most common side effects reported in studies.

What might help

If you have joint pain that's severe or bothersome to you, talk with your doctor. They may recommend treatments for your symptoms, or may suggest a treatment other than Zetia.

Muscle problems, such as muscle cramps

You may develop muscle problems if you're taking Zetia by itself or with a statin.

These problems are usually mild, such as mild pain or cramping. But muscle problems with Zetia can be severe and may lead to a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. This refers to the breakdown of your muscle tissue.

You may have an increased risk of serious muscle problems if you:

• are taking a high dose statin
• are age 65 years or older
• have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland)
• have kidney problems
• are taking other medications that cause muscle problems

What might help

During your cholesterol treatment, your doctor will monitor you for muscle problems. They may recommend that you have blood tests to make sure your cholesterol treatment isn't causing muscle breakdown or other problems.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any muscle symptoms that you might be having. They may monitor you more often or recommend a different treatment for your condition.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Zetia. It isn't known how often this side effect occurred in studies.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Zetia. But if you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.