Zetia & Cancer Danger

Zetia is a commercial form of the medication ezetimibe, which is commonly used to treat high cholesterol. In 2008 and 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated concerns that the use of ezetimibe may increase the risk of developing cancer.

The Facts

• According to the U.S. Library of Medicine, ezetimibe is intended for use as part of an overall program of cholesterol control. It is sometimes combined with another group of cholesterol medications called statins.

FDA Review

• In 2008, the FDA announced a review of the product Vytorin, which combines Zetia with a statin called simvastatin (Zocor). Preliminary results from a clinical trial indicated that Vytorin use might significantly increase cancer risks.

Review Results

• In December 2009, the FDA announced that Vytorin is “unlikely” to increase chances of cancer development. While simvastatin was cleared of any involvement, the FDA did not definitively rule out ezetimibe as a cancer factor.

Zetia Findings

• In the same announcement, the FDA stated that use of Zetia on its own is also unlikely to increase cancer risks.

Considerations

• While the FDA did not ask health professionals to discontinue prescribing Zetia or Vytorin, it did ask them to continue monitoring the risks and benefits of these medications.