Ezetrol Side Effects

Ezetrol is a medication prescribed to reduce high cholesterol levels, and is the brand name for ezetimibe in Canada. Ezetimibe is available as Zetia in the United States. Side effects are uncommon, and serious ones are very unlikely.

Function

• Ezetrol decreases the amount of dietary cholesterol absorbed by the body. The medication is typically used when one of the statin drugs has not been effective at lowering cholesterol. Ezetrol may be taken on its own or along with a statin.

Most Likely Side Effects

• Many side effects are possible with Ezetrol, although uncommon. They include abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, gas, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and headache.

Muscle Disorders

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Ezetrol can cause rare serious muscle conditions. Myopathy has symptoms of muscle pain and weakness. Rhabdomyolysis involves the breakdown of muscle tissue into the blood, which can cause kidney damage.

Other Serious Effects

• Other serious side effects, although rare, include allergic reactions, pancreatitis, gallstones, decreased blood platelets and liver dysfunction.

Drug Interactions

• Ezetrol interacts with certain other drugs, including anticoagulants, immunosuppressants and fibrates used to lower cholesterol.