Patient/caregiver was educated on the precautions to be observed while taking Ezetimibe as follows:
- Taking Ezetimibe after having a meal or a snack, can help avoid unpleasant gastrointestinal side-effects of Ezetimibe intake, such as, nausea and vomiting, dyspepsia, and stomach upset.
- A lot of nonprescription and prescription medications can influence the metabolism and consequently, the activity of Ezetimibe in the body. This can contribute significantly to risk for toxic side-effects of Ezetimibe, such as, hepatic damage and muscle breakdown. So, be sure to mention your physician and pharmacist regarding your history with Ezetimibe and check with them regarding safety, in the event you are being started on any new medications.
- Observe compliance with low fat diet. Ezetimibe intake with dietary recommendation compliance can help with better maintenance of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- It can take some time with Ezetimibe, before the cholesterol levels are lowered and the benefits of medication are noted. So, do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after taking the medication.
- Your physician could change the dose of Ezetimibe, based on the lab results obtained and the side-effects developed. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments and lab draws ordered. Labs could be ordered periodically for lipid levels, hepatic, and renal function. Be accommodative to the plan of dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
- If a dose is missed, it should be taken at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, the missed dose can be skipped. Compensating for the missed dose by taking an extra dose can pose serious risk for toxicity and side-effects.
