Patient/caregiver was educated on the precautions to be observed while taking Ezetimibe as follows:
- Use of Ezetimibe, especially in combination with other anticholesterol medications, such as, statins, carries risk of skeletal muscle injury and breakdown. Protein molecules released into the blood from this skeletal muscle injury enter the kidney to be eliminated in urine. But, as these molecules are large, they will not be filtered through the kidneys into the urine and get blocked, thus damaging the kidneys and leading to kidney failure. Notify your doctor, if you experience any unexplained muscle pain, malaise, and weakness. Report to your physician, in case any findings of gross diminishing in 24-hour urine volume and consistently concentrated dark urine have been noted. Notify your doctor, if you also experience any other symptoms of compromised renal function, such as, fluid retention, edema, and abnormal weight gain. Observe compliance with regular labs ordered for renal function evaluation.
- Ezetimibe could be taken at the same time with statins and tricor, but should be avoided from being taken at the same time with bile acid sequestrants or binders, such as, cholestyramine and colestipol. Bile acid binders not only bind the bile acids, but also bind with the Ezetimibe, if taken together. This binding inhibits the absorption of Ezetimibe in the intestines, thus compromising the therapeutic benefit of Ezetimibe intake. If both bile acid binders and Ezetimibe are prescribed for lowering blood cholesterol, space them out by atleast 4 hours, to avoid compromising the therapeutic benefit of Ezetimibe.
- Avoid drinking alcohol with Ezetimibe. Alcohol, by itself, carries the risk of elevating the bad cholesterol and triglycerides, thus compromising the therapeutic benefit of Ezetimibe intake. In addition, alcohol with Ezetimibe, can increase the risk for hepatitis and damage to the liver function. Discuss with your doctor, if you consume more than 2 drinks of alcoholic beverages a day.
