Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Alternate Over The Counter Medication For Zetia
Question: I'm taking Zetia with Simvastatin for my cholesterol medication. Zetia is way too expensive and is a XXXXXXX 3 med with medicare. Is there another alternative med combined with Simvastatin that I could take instead of Zetia that is a XXXXXXX 1 med?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to have some more information on your blood lipid profile and the dose of simvastatin that you are taking.
You should know that zetia is an additional therapy to statins, but the primary therapy is simvastatin.
An increase in the dose of simvastatin may be considered if you are taking a low dose.
Another option is to switch from simvastatin and zetia to another more potent statin like crestor.
From the other hand, you should consider some modifications to your lifestyle:
- avoid sugar and saturated fatty acids contained in butter, red meat etc. and take plenty of omega 3 rich food like olive oil, fish, fish oil, etc.
- perform a lot of physical activity
- reduce your weight if you are overweight.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to have some more information on your blood lipid profile and the dose of simvastatin that you are taking.
You should know that zetia is an additional therapy to statins, but the primary therapy is simvastatin.
An increase in the dose of simvastatin may be considered if you are taking a low dose.
Another option is to switch from simvastatin and zetia to another more potent statin like crestor.
From the other hand, you should consider some modifications to your lifestyle:
- avoid sugar and saturated fatty acids contained in butter, red meat etc. and take plenty of omega 3 rich food like olive oil, fish, fish oil, etc.
- perform a lot of physical activity
- reduce your weight if you are overweight.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Simvastatin 20mg
I hardly eat any sugar
I'm 5'8" - weigh 170 - flat stomach - last checked body fat was 16.9
I have Ciliac Disease so I don't drink whiskeys nor beer and I just don't like wine
I do not eat fried foods. I do eat fruit and lots of sashimi and drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.....I have not drank any soda for over 7 years.
Bottom line is I'm pretty healthy overall. The combination was induced when we found out that I may have a hereditary issue with Cholesterol control and these combined were suppose to help with that. Food was only part of the problem but not the entire problem.
Does this info help? XXXXXXX
I hardly eat any sugar
I'm 5'8" - weigh 170 - flat stomach - last checked body fat was 16.9
I have Ciliac Disease so I don't drink whiskeys nor beer and I just don't like wine
I do not eat fried foods. I do eat fruit and lots of sashimi and drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.....I have not drank any soda for over 7 years.
Bottom line is I'm pretty healthy overall. The combination was induced when we found out that I may have a hereditary issue with Cholesterol control and these combined were suppose to help with that. Food was only part of the problem but not the entire problem.
Does this info help? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the additional information!
I understand that lifestyle modifications can not be considered in your case as you have an optimal weight and diet.
I would like to have some more information on your total cholesterol levels, HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
In this clinical situation, you should consider increasing the dose of simvastatin to 40mg daily. Your actual dose of simvastatin is a low daily dose (the dose can be increased up to 80mg daily).
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the additional information!
I understand that lifestyle modifications can not be considered in your case as you have an optimal weight and diet.
I would like to have some more information on your total cholesterol levels, HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
In this clinical situation, you should consider increasing the dose of simvastatin to 40mg daily. Your actual dose of simvastatin is a low daily dose (the dose can be increased up to 80mg daily).
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
