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Can Zetia Be Taken To Lower Cholesterol Levels?
Question: Hi! I am caregiver to my 85 y.o. Mom. She has had a rough time in last 4 years. A fall caused Cauda Equina Syndrome damaged her bladder/bowel ability. Last year A-Fib caused a stroke (she has Left neglect issues), Spinal Stenosis causes Sciatica Nerve Pain. The cardiologist monitors her heart which shows she doesn't have A-Fib now but paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT). Mom's got high BP and Cholesterol‎ is high. This year, 2015 January her Cholesterol was 260, XXXXXXX again 260, August 286. Mom's GP put her on Pravastatin which after 3 weeks caused her body weakness and inability to walk and uncoordination. I stopped the Pravastatin told the cardiologist about it. He put mom on Zetia 10 mg.
Mom's meds are Troprolol Suc 25mg twice daily, enteric aspirin 162.5 mg, Gabapentin 400mg, Synthroid 75mg daily, Liquid Potassium Chloride 10mcg, Vit D2 50,000 units twice a week, and Namenda 28XR. Do you think Zetia is good for Mom's high Cholesterol? Your thoughts on her medicines as well? Thank you.
Mom's meds are Troprolol Suc 25mg twice daily, enteric aspirin 162.5 mg, Gabapentin 400mg, Synthroid 75mg daily, Liquid Potassium Chloride 10mcg, Vit D2 50,000 units twice a week, and Namenda 28XR. Do you think Zetia is good for Mom's high Cholesterol? Your thoughts on her medicines as well? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Zetia seems to be a safe treatment in your mother's situation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that Zetia seems to be a good drug for lowering the cholesterol.
It has not interactions with the other drugs that your mother is taking.
But rarely it can cause muscular cramps, diarrhea, chronic fatigue and joint pain. In such case you should consult with your doctor and perform the blood levels of transaminases and CPK.
Regarding the other drugs she is taking, I would agree with her attending physicians about his treatment choices.
You should closely monitor her blood pressure and heart rate. Troprolol seems to be a good choice for high blood pressure and the cardiac arrhythmia she has.
Aspirin is a good antiplatelet agent for the secondary prevention of stroke.
While Gabapentine, which is an antiepileptic drug, is a good choice in elderly patients to help with chronic nerve pain (related to her spinal stenosis and sciatica). It has no interactions with the other drugs she is taking.
Namenda is an excellent drug for the treatment of dementia. It can help your mother with her memory problems. Some cognitive tests are necessary to be performed from the neurologist, to conclude this diagnosis, before starting treatment.
Regarding the potassium supplements and vitamin D2, she should perform repeated blood tests of potassium, calcium and vitamin D2 plasma levels, to be sure that she is taking the right dose and arrange the doses if necessary.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Zetia seems to be a safe treatment in your mother's situation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that Zetia seems to be a good drug for lowering the cholesterol.
It has not interactions with the other drugs that your mother is taking.
But rarely it can cause muscular cramps, diarrhea, chronic fatigue and joint pain. In such case you should consult with your doctor and perform the blood levels of transaminases and CPK.
Regarding the other drugs she is taking, I would agree with her attending physicians about his treatment choices.
You should closely monitor her blood pressure and heart rate. Troprolol seems to be a good choice for high blood pressure and the cardiac arrhythmia she has.
Aspirin is a good antiplatelet agent for the secondary prevention of stroke.
While Gabapentine, which is an antiepileptic drug, is a good choice in elderly patients to help with chronic nerve pain (related to her spinal stenosis and sciatica). It has no interactions with the other drugs she is taking.
Namenda is an excellent drug for the treatment of dementia. It can help your mother with her memory problems. Some cognitive tests are necessary to be performed from the neurologist, to conclude this diagnosis, before starting treatment.
Regarding the potassium supplements and vitamin D2, she should perform repeated blood tests of potassium, calcium and vitamin D2 plasma levels, to be sure that she is taking the right dose and arrange the doses if necessary.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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