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Zetia – what is it used for?

Zetia is a cholesterol-lowering drug and as such it is used to treat levels of cholesterol in the blood which are considered too high and that can have adverse effects on your cardiovascular system. Before we go in-depth and describe the mechanisms in which Zetia works and how it can benefit you, we need to talk for a while about the effects of high blood cholesterol can have on one’s health.
In order to better understand the effects of high levels of cholesterol in the blood, we must cover the basics. Cholesterol is ingested with certain foods and produced in the intestines and in liver. It is then transported to other cells in the body via certain proteins called low density lipoproteins. These lipoproteins, LDL are also called bad cholesterol as they carry the cholesterol to the blood vessels where they do most damage. The accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries leads to a condition known as artherosclerosis, which is in fact the thickening of the artery walls, as the cholesterol and triglycerides that works in pretty much the same way as LDL create certain plaques that obstruct the normal flow of blood through the blood vessels. Artherosclerosis is usually unnoticeable until the plaque ruptures and parts of it block the flow of blood, which is in fact a heart attack. If this happens in an artery which feeds the brain with blood, it is called a stroke. As you can see, the effects of artherosclerosis are very serious and can even be fatal.

There is also a different kind of lipoproteins, called the high density lipoproteins, which in fact lead the cholesterol out of the blood vessels and back into the liver. Due to different factors, mainly dietary ones, the levels of the two main types of lipoproteins get unbalanced, leading to increased levels of LDL or bad cholesterol.

This is where Zetia comes in, by inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the intestines, thus reducing the levels of cholesterol in your body, and subsequently in your blood. The Zetia treatment can sometimes be combined with other cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins and in most cases; it includes a special diet and regimen of exercises that are also aimed at reducing the levels of cholesterol in your system.

More facts about a Zetia treatment

Before your doctor can safely prescribe Zetia, they need to make sure that you are not going to suffer from any unwanted side effects that can be caused by Zetia. In some cases, you will be unable to use Zetia, and these cases include allergies to Zetia or any of its ingredients and liver disease. Other conditions warrant additional testing and special precautions when taking Zetia, conditions like thyroid disorder, kidney disease, or if you are taking steroid medications or hormonal medications, including contraception pills. There are some other medications that might interact with Zetia, and you need to inform your doctor about any drugs that you are taking. Also, you should inform yourself about any possible Zetia side effects.