Dosage for Zetia: What You Need to Know

If you have high cholesterol, your doctor might suggest Zetia as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used in adults and some children along with dietary changes to treat:

homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
mixed hyperlipidemia
primary hyperlipidemia

Zetia may be used alone or in combination with other medications to lower different kinds of high cholesterol. It’s also used alone to lower the blood level of fats called plant sterols in people with homozygous sitosterolemia.

Zetia comes as a tablet you swallow. It contains the active ingredient ezetimibe. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called cholesterol blockers.

This article describes the dosage of Zetia, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about the drug, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Zetia’s usual dosage, which is provided by the drugmaker. But when using Zetia, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Below is information on the usual dosage of Zetia.

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What is the form of Zetia?

Zetia comes as a tablet you swallow.

What strength does Zetia come in?

Zetia comes in one only strength of 10 milligrams (mg) per tablet.

What’s the usual dosage of Zetia?

The information below describes the most commonly used and recommended dosage of Zetia. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The typical dosage of Zetia is 10 mg taken once daily to:

lower high cholesterol
lower the blood level of fats called plant sterols in people with homozygous sitosterolemia

What’s the dosage of Zetia for children?

Zetia may be prescribed for children ages 10 years and older. (It hasn’t been studied in children younger than age 10 years.) The dosage for children is the same as for adults: 10 mg taken once per day with or without food. It’s not prescribed with other cholesterol-lowering medications for this age group.

If you have questions about Zetia for your child, ask your doctor for more information.

Is Zetia used long term?

Yes, Zetia is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Below are answers to some common questions about Zetia’s dosage.

What’s the max dose of Zetia?

The maximum dosage of Zetia is 10 milligrams (mg) taken once per day. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to take this drug for your condition. Do not take more than your doctor prescribes, as this could increase your risk of side effects.

Is there a Zetia 5 mg dose?

No, Zetia comes only as a 10-mg tablet. And the recommended dosage is 10 mg taken once daily. If your doctor suggests you take a 5-mg dose of Zetia, this would be an off-label* use. Your doctor can provide more information if they feel you may need a different dosage of Zetia.

* With off-label use, a drug is prescribed in a way or for a condition it’s not been approved for.

Does Zetia have recommended dosing instructions?

Yes, Zetia is prescribed as 10 mg taken once per day. It can be taken with or without food.

If you’re taking a bile acid sequestrant along with Zetia, take Zetia either 2 hours before or 4 hours after the other medication. This is because bile acid sequestrants can lower the effects of Zetia in your body.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide detailed dosing instructions for Zetia. You can also review the patient instructions provided by the drugmaker.

You’ll take Zetia once per day by mouth with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day to have a constant level of the drug in your body.

It’s not known whether Zetia can be chewed, crushed, or cut. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, talk with your pharmacist or check out this article for tips on how to make it easier.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Zetia, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

have large print
use braille
feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may have tips to help make it easier or may be able to supply Zetia in an easy-open container.

If you miss your regular daily dose of Zetia, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal daily dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once, as this could increase your risk of side effects.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Zetia on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

What to do in case you take too much Zetia

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Zetia. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by Zetia’s drugmaker. If your doctor recommends this drug for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Zetia without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Zetia exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:

If Zetia isn’t working for me, would taking a higher dose help?
Will my dose of Zetia be different if I take it with other cholesterol-lowering drugs?
Will my dose of Zetia need to change if I have muscle pain?

To learn more about Zetia, see these articles:

All About Zetia
Side Effects of Zetia: What You Need to Know
Zetia Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Austra Health’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Austra Health has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Last medically reviewed on April 11, 2023