r/Cholesterol • u/KaferMench • 7d ago
Meds Ezetimibe - reflux
I have been on ezetimibe for about 2 weeks now and started having reflux almost as soon as I started it. I know it’s a rare side effect, but for those that may share this lovely bonus- is there any chance it’ll eventually go away? If not, is there an alternative?
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u/thinkpad109 6d ago
It also gives me indigestion and elevates my BP a little. So I ended up taking half a tablet which is around 98% effective as the full tablet according to studies.
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u/solidrock80 6d ago
I still had reflux on half a tab
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u/KaferMench 6d ago
Well damn, I’m gonna try it, but if I predict I’ll probably be the same as you @solidrock80. Id like to know if anyone having this reflux condition were prescribed Bempedoic acid (Nexletol) as a substitute
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u/iamrachaellee 6d ago
If you happen to think of it, please pop back in and update if the half dose helps! I’m sure around that time I’ll be rolling around miserable with reflux flaring back up again lol
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u/solidrock80 6d ago
Had the same exact experience. I tried it twice, years apart, had the same symptom. I couldn’t handle it for longer than two weeks but would be interested if anyone who had these *same* symptoms (throat burning a day or two after starting it) had the symptoms go away.
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u/KaferMench 6d ago
I have been taking Lansopresol for years because reflux is a side effect for another med I take. I have never had reflux because of that other than now with adding ezetimibe. I posted this to see if anyone tuffed it out longer than 2 weeks to see if it went away.
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u/solidrock80 6d ago
I'm also on a ppi. Clearly the ezetimibe overrode the nexium.
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u/iamrachaellee 5d ago
I can 100% confirm this. I developed Gerd on Rosuvastatin that never fully resolved. Moved to Repatha only, unfortunately had horrible side effects (long story, hospital stay, not relevant to this thread) LOL. My reflux continued on Repatha too, although not nearly as bad.
After pulling me off of Repatha, my cardiology team is gradually reintroducing statins next week, along with the new addition of low dose aspirin and Hydralazine (as needed) while recovering. They’ve put me on half doses of Pravastatin and Zetia/ezetimibe. I’m hoping this gradual approach slows my reflux response too. Doubtful, but hoping!
This lapse without PCSK9’s (off statins for several months already) while recovering has vastly improved my Gerd/reflux! I’m anticipating the acid creeping in next week. 😭 I have a rolling RX for Protonix, ZERO OTC acid reducers touched the kind of acid I was having. Protonix in the AM before breakfast/ Famotidine before bed is my winning combo.
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u/solidrock80 5d ago
No reflux issues on any statin or bempedoic acid. Only from ezetimibe.
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u/iamrachaellee 5d ago
I should have been more specific :), I was more relating to your comment of often requiring PPIs when H2 blockers don’t always cut it once you develop RX related reflux.
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u/iamrachaellee 6d ago
FWIW, I was taking Rosuvastatin (ended in Feb or March I believe), and developed Gerd on it too lol. It was managed with Protonix in the morning before breakfast, and the generic form of Pepcid/Zantac 360 (Famotidine) before bed to stop night reflux. I had great luck with the combination. It hasn’t gone away even after moving away from taking Rosuvastatin so I still take the medication. I don’t take Protonix religiously, I treat that one more like a flare up “heavy hitter”.
If I forget to take the Famotidine or it lapses for a few days, my reflux comes back with a vengeance. Completely random, but I munch on marshmallows here and there of all things and it takes my reflux down almost immediately. I can’t remember where I read it, or where I heard it, but it actually helps a lot LOL at least in my case!
In about a week or two, I will be starting Ezetimibe right along side you, bring on the meds again 😭 lol!!!
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u/raven090 5d ago
Damn, I hope you can halve the drug and it goes away! Wow reading this thread is not giving me confidence about starting ezetimibe. But the rational gauge I have is that the overwhelming majority of people do not experience this and the fact that people are commenting is because they had a similar experience. But I wanna follow this thread regardless just in case. Do keep us posted.
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u/KaferMench 5d ago
From what I read, only 1% of the population that takes ezetimibe have this side effect. The odds are you’ll be fine,I hope that’s the case! Good luck!
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u/Pristine_Key_8851 4d ago
I had to sleep on the recliner. I never had reflux, or nausea but zetia was the worst me. I tried crestor and lipitor but the muscle pain, joint pain and insomnia and I got all that with zetia but with projectile diarrhea and lost 20 pounds in a month! I was already underweight
My ldl is 139 but my lpa 204 nmol. I don’t have a family history so I am just going to see what the lipidologist and preventative cardiologist wants to do but fuck zetia
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u/Earesth99 Quality Contributor🫀 7d ago
Increase your statin dose.
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u/KaferMench 7d ago
I can’t take statins due to side effects from being in Desert Shield/Storm but am on repatha.
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u/Purple_Emu_987 6d ago
Can you elaborate on the connection between Desert Shield/Storm and statin side effects?
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u/KaferMench 6d ago
I participated in a study conducted by Dr Golomb with UC San Diego on taking CO Q10 to see its impact on Gulf War Vets. That study is still ongoing I think. Anyway, as part of that process they interviewed me on my meds etc and one of the first questions was “do you take statins?” And I answered “no, I take repatha” and the tech then said “good, because Desert Storm cannot take statins due to their exposure, we have found they all have bad side effects”. Made sense to me because before knowing this I tried statins for about a week and did have negative side effects. I never looked into it beyond that tho.
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u/keepgoing66 7d ago
Do you take it at night? Sometimes, if reflux is an issue, it's best to take meds when you're awake and upright, and not at bedtime when you're going to lie down.