What it is used for

High cholesterol, with or without a statin
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (inherited high cholesterol)

Read our guides:

Off-label uses

Doctors sometimes prescribe a medicine for a condition it is not officially licensed for. This is called off-label use. It is legal and common when there is good evidence it helps, and your doctor should explain why they are suggesting it.

Ezetimibe is not commonly used off-label.

How it works

Ezetimibe blocks a protein in the small intestine that absorbs cholesterol from food and bile. Less cholesterol enters the blood, so LDL ("bad") cholesterol falls.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Ezetimibe can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many are mild and ease after the first few weeks.

Common side effects

stomach pain
diarrhoea
wind
feeling tired
headache
muscle aches

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if these bother you or do not go away.

Serious side effects

These are rare. Call 111 or contact your doctor straight away if you get:

unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
yellowing of the skin or eyes
severe stomach pain

Call 999 if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of your lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing.

You can report any side effect to the Yellow Card scheme, run by the medicines regulator.

Stopping and withdrawal

Important safety information

It works best alongside a healthy diet.

Questions about your medicine?

A pharmacist can answer questions about your medicines for free, without an appointment. You can also ask your GP for a medication review. Check if you can get free prescriptions.