Comprehensive medication guide to Zetia including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay per month for generic ezetimibe on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans (Tier 1–2 preferred generic). Brand Zetia falls on Tier 3–4 with copays of $35–$80. Prior authorization may be required by some plans.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$15–$50 retail for generic ezetimibe at most pharmacies; as low as $10–$13 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply. Brand Zetia costs $280–$500+ without insurance.
Medfinder Findability Score
92/100
On this page
Zetia is the brand name for ezetimibe, a prescription cholesterol-lowering medication belonging to the drug class known as cholesterol absorption inhibitors. It was FDA-approved in 2002 and is the most widely used non-statin lipid-lowering agent in the United States. Generic ezetimibe has been available since December 2016 following patent expiration.
Zetia is FDA-approved to treat primary hyperlipidemia, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in adults and children age 10 and older, homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), mixed hyperlipidemia (with fenofibrate), and homozygous sitosterolemia. It can be used alone or in combination with a statin or fenofibrate.
It is also available in two combination products: Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) and Nexlizet (ezetimibe/bempedoic acid). The current brand manufacturer is Organon, while generic ezetimibe is produced by more than a dozen FDA-approved manufacturers.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Zetia (ezetimibe) lowers cholesterol through a unique mechanism that is completely different from statins. Rather than reducing cholesterol production in the liver, ezetimibe works in the small intestine where it blocks a protein called NPC1L1 (Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1). This protein is responsible for transporting dietary and biliary cholesterol from the gut into intestinal cells and then into the bloodstream.
By blocking NPC1L1, ezetimibe reduces the amount of cholesterol delivered to the liver. The liver responds by pulling more LDL cholesterol out of the bloodstream, lowering circulating LDL levels. In a 2-week clinical study, ezetimibe inhibited intestinal cholesterol absorption by 54% compared to placebo.
This mechanism is complementary to statins (which reduce liver cholesterol synthesis) and fenofibrate. Ezetimibe does not affect the absorption of triglycerides, fatty acids, bile acids, or fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E — making it highly selective and well-tolerated.
10 mg — tablet
The only available dose. Taken once daily with or without food. Take at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after a bile acid sequestrant.
Zetia (ezetimibe) is not in a shortage as of 2026. It is not listed on the FDA Drug Shortages database. Generic ezetimibe is manufactured by more than a dozen FDA-approved companies and has a highly stable supply chain — making it one of the most reliably available cholesterol medications on the market. The findability score for Zetia is 92/100.
When patients do experience difficulty filling their Zetia prescription, the causes are almost always administrative rather than supply-related: insurance prior authorization requirements, brand vs. generic prescription confusion, or a specific pharmacy being temporarily out of their usual manufacturer's stock. These issues are typically resolved within 24-48 hours.
If you're having trouble finding ezetimibe at your local pharmacy, medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your prescription and texts you the results.
Zetia (ezetimibe) is not a controlled substance and does not require DEA registration to prescribe. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority in their state can write a prescription for ezetimibe. There are no specialty restrictions.
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Cardiologists and preventive cardiologists
Endocrinologists and lipidologists
Nurse practitioners (NPs) with prescribing authority
Physician assistants (PAs)
Pediatricians (for patients age 10 and older with HeFH)
Zetia is well-suited to telehealth prescribing. Because it is not a controlled substance and cholesterol management requires only lab review (not in-person examination), most telehealth platforms (Teladoc, MDLive, and others) can prescribe or refill ezetimibe via video or phone visit for patients in most states.
No. Zetia (ezetimibe) is not a controlled substance. It is not listed in any DEA schedule (Schedule I through V). There are no special DEA registration requirements for prescribers, no restrictions on the number of refills, and no mandatory in-person consultation requirements related to controlled substance status.
Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, cardiologists, and telehealth providers — can prescribe ezetimibe without any special registration. Prescriptions can be written electronically and transmitted directly to a pharmacy, including mail-order pharmacies. There are no legal barriers specific to controlled substance scheduling for obtaining or filling a Zetia prescription.
Ezetimibe has one of the most favorable safety profiles among prescription cholesterol medications. Common side effects include:
Upper respiratory infections / nasopharyngitis (cold-like symptoms)
Myalgia (muscle aches), especially when combined with a statin
Arthralgia (joint pain)
Diarrhea
Back pain
Fatigue
Headache
Serious side effects (contact your doctor immediately):
Severe muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness (possible myopathy or rhabdomyolysis — especially with dark/brown urine)
Signs of liver damage: jaundice, dark urine, severe abdominal pain
Severe allergic reactions: anaphylaxis, angioedema, hives, difficulty breathing
Severe abdominal pain (possible pancreatitis)
Depression or significant mood changes
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
High-intensity statin; lowers LDL by 40-60%. First-line therapy for most patients with high cholesterol. Available as a generic at very low cost.
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
High-intensity statin; lowers LDL by 50-65%. Generic available. Often preferred for statin-ezetimibe combination therapy.
Bempedoic acid (Nexletol)
Oral non-statin alternative; lowers LDL by 15-25%. Preferred for statin-intolerant patients. FDA-approved February 2020. Also available as Nexlizet (with ezetimibe).
Evolocumab (Repatha)
PCSK9 inhibitor; lowers LDL by 50-60%. Injectable, given biweekly or monthly. Used for high-risk patients not at goal on oral therapy. Requires prior authorization.
Prefer Zetia? We can find it.
Cyclosporine
majorSignificantly increases ezetimibe exposure; also can affect cyclosporine levels. Monitor both drug concentrations closely.
Gemfibrozil
moderateIncreases ezetimibe blood levels. Co-administration is generally not recommended. Use fenofibrate instead if a fibrate is needed.
Bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam)
moderateReduces ezetimibe absorption by up to 55%. Take ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after bile acid sequestrants.
Fenofibrate
moderateApproved for combination use with ezetimibe. Monitor for gallstones (cholelithiasis) — both drugs can increase cholesterol in bile.
Warfarin
moderateMay affect INR. Monitor INR when starting or stopping ezetimibe in patients on warfarin therapy.
Zetia (ezetimibe) is a proven, safe, and accessible cholesterol-lowering medication. With generic availability since 2016 and a findability score of 92/100, it is one of the most reliably stocked non-statin lipid medications in the United States. For most patients, the primary challenge is navigating insurance and finding the lowest cost — not finding the drug in stock.
The landmark IMPROVE-IT trial confirmed that adding ezetimibe to statin therapy reduces major cardiovascular events, establishing it as an important part of comprehensive lipid management — particularly for high-risk patients whose LDL cannot be adequately controlled with a statin alone.
If you're having trouble locating ezetimibe at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can contact pharmacies in your area to find which ones have your prescription ready to fill and text you the results — saving you the hassle of calling around.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Zetia. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini