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Taking Zetia. Feeling Tired And Drowsy. How To Prevent It?

Posted on Mon, 19 Aug 2013

Question: I have been taking Zetia for approximately 1 month...over the past two weeks, I am extremely tired after working all day...to the point that it is difficult to keep from dosing off while driving home! Is there some thing I can do to prevent this from happening?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (1 hour later)

Hi !

Thank you for your query.

Dear madam,

You are taking Zetia that contains ezetimibe that lowers plasma cholesterol levels.
Hope you are satisfied with the answer. Arthralgias , fatigue and myalgias that is feeling of tiredness and being unwell are infrequent adverse effects (0.1–1% of patients) but well known with this drug .

Since this drug is not suiting you I think you should see your treating doctor and request for a change . A trial of statins like atorvastatin is frequently recommended .

Wish you good health.

Take care.

Dr. XXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (23 hours later)

Thank you Dr. XXXX, for your response. Unfortunately, I have already been on statins...and am not able to tolerate them either! I was diagnosed with "statin induced pancreatitis" about a year and a half ago while on simvastatin. I am told that Zetia was one of the last drugs that I may be able to tolerate.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (29 minutes later)

Hi!

Thanks for replying back.

In that case few studies are there to suggest that many patients who are intolerant of statins will be intolerant of ezetimibe. Bile acid sequestrants and resins may be the safest choice in these cases to lower cholesterol.

I think you should see your treating doctor to let him assess whether change of drug is required or not.

Take care.

Dr. XXXX

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar