What Is Ezetimibe? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Ezetimibe — sold under the brand name Zetia — is a prescription medication used to lower cholesterol. It's been FDA-approved since 2002 and is one of the most commonly prescribed non-statin cholesterol drugs in the United States. Whether you've just been prescribed it or you're doing research before your next doctor's appointment, this guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is Ezetimibe?

Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor — a type of medication that reduces the amount of cholesterol your small intestine absorbs from food and bile. Unlike statins, which work in the liver to block cholesterol production, ezetimibe works in the intestine to block cholesterol from entering the bloodstream. This makes it a useful option for patients who can't tolerate statins or who need additional cholesterol lowering beyond what a statin alone can provide.

It comes only as a 10 mg oral tablet and is taken once daily, with or without food.

What Is Ezetimibe Used For?

Ezetimibe is FDA-approved for the following indications:

Primary hyperlipidemia: As monotherapy or combined with a statin to reduce elevated LDL cholesterol in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or non-familial hypercholesterolemia.

Mixed hyperlipidemia: Combined with fenofibrate to reduce elevated LDL in adults with both high cholesterol and high triglycerides.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH): Combined with a statin to reduce LDL in adults and children 10+ with this rare genetic disorder of extremely high cholesterol.

Homozygous sitosterolemia (phytosterolemia): A rare condition where the body cannot properly eliminate plant sterols. Ezetimibe significantly reduces plant sterol levels in these patients.

Children 10 years and older with HeFH: Used together with a statin to reduce LDL in pediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

What Is the Dosage of Ezetimibe?

10 mg once daily for adults and children 10 years and older. There is only one dose strength available for ezetimibe alone — 10 mg. There is no dose titration or adjustment for kidney disease, and no dose adjustment for mild liver disease (though it's avoided in moderate-to-severe hepatic impairment).

Important timing note: If you also take a bile acid sequestrant (like cholestyramine, colestipol, or colesevelam), take ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after the sequestrant — otherwise, the sequestrant can bind to ezetimibe and reduce its absorption significantly.

How Effective Is Ezetimibe?

As monotherapy, ezetimibe lowers LDL cholesterol by approximately 13-20%. When added to a statin, it provides an additional 21-27% reduction in LDL beyond what the statin alone achieves. This is roughly equivalent to doubling the statin dose, without the additional muscle side effect risk that comes with higher statin doses.

Beyond cholesterol numbers, the landmark IMPROVE-IT trial showed that adding ezetimibe to simvastatin in post-acute coronary syndrome patients significantly reduced the rate of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death) compared to simvastatin alone. This cardiovascular outcomes data supports ezetimibe as more than just a number-changer.

Brand Name vs. Generic Ezetimibe

Zetia is the original brand name for ezetimibe, manufactured by Merck. Generic ezetimibe — made by multiple manufacturers including Teva, Aurobindo, and Mylan — became available after the patent expired and is therapeutically equivalent to Zetia. The generic is what most pharmacies stock and what most insurance plans prefer. There is no clinical reason to choose brand Zetia over generic ezetimibe.

Ezetimibe Combination Products

Ezetimibe is also available in combination pills:

Vytorin: Ezetimibe 10 mg + simvastatin (10, 20, 40, or 80 mg). Available as a generic.

Roszet: Ezetimibe 10 mg + rosuvastatin (5, 10, 20, or 40 mg). Brand name combination.

Nexlizet: Ezetimibe 10 mg + bempedoic acid 180 mg. A statin-free option for statin-intolerant patients.

How Much Does Ezetimibe Cost?

Generic ezetimibe is one of the more affordable cholesterol medications available:

With GoodRx: as low as $10.01 for a 30-day supply

With SingleCare: as low as $13.89 for a 90-day supply

With most insurance (Tier 1-2 generic): $0-$15 copay per month

If you're having trouble finding ezetimibe at your pharmacy, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones have it in stock.

Want to understand exactly how ezetimibe works in the body? Read: How does ezetimibe work? Mechanism of action explained in plain English.