Zetia Contraindications

Zetia is the brand name for the medication generically known as ezetimibe, a type of cholesterol-lowering medication. Unlike the more commonly used statins that are metabolized in the liver, Zetia works in the digestive tract by blocking cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Zetia's manufacturer Merck claims that patients experienced an average 18 percent decrease in bad cholesterol when used in conjunction with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

Methods of Use

• Zetia is used alone or in conjunction with statin drugs, depending up the patient's condition and the physician's treatment plan. Zetia is sometimes used in combination with simvastatin, branded alone as Zocor, and a third drug, Vytorin. Drugs trials have failed to demonstrate that Zetia prevents heart disease or heart attacks, so it is often combined with statins that have demonstrated this ability.

Side Effects vs. Contraindications

• Side effects are symptoms that occur because a medication is prescribed and taken, but outside of the reason it is used. Side effects do not necessarily preclude a patient from continuing on the causative drug. Examples sometimes include digestive complaints or dizziness for a high blood pressure medication. Contraindications are existing health conditions, situations or allergies in which administration of a given medication is prohibited. Dangerous side effects that develop secondary to use of the medication preclude continued therapy with the drug.

Contraindications Alone

• Contraindications to administration of Zetia include hypersensitivity or an allergic reaction to either the active compound or inactive fillers that make up the medicine. A contraindicative side effect, myopathy or muscle death is indicated by muscle pain, tenderness and weakness and is to be reported to the patient's doctor immediately. This condition contrasts sharply with common side effects reported by Zetia users that include diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue.

Contraindications Combined

• Zetia, when used in combination with statins, has a higher incidence of side effects, some of which preclude continued treatment of one or both drugs. An absolute contraindication for any statin is that of pregnancy, breastfeeding or severe liver disease. Statins and Zetia in combination also have the risk of myopathy, the risks of which increase with higher statin doses, increased patient age, hypothyroidism and kidney disease.