headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea are commonly reported by patients taking ezetimibe (1)
hypersensitivity reactions have been reported rarely - including angioedema and rash,
in comparative studies with ezetimibe plus a statin with a statin alone - the overall incidence of unwanted effects was not significantly different between the groups
note however, in one study, 2% of patients randomised to a statin plus ezetimibe developed asymptomatic increases in plasma levels of liver enzymes compared with none of those taking ezetimibe, a statin or placebo alone (1)
...ezetimibe did not appear to reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (1)
no adjustment of the dose of ezetimibe is needed for older patients, patients with renal impairment or those with mild liver dysfunction
note however that the manufacturer does not advise the use of ezetimibe in patients with moderate or severe liver disease (Child-Pugh score 7 or more)
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