Ezetrol helps to lower cholesterol levels. It is used in people whose cholesterol levels are too high and when diet alone cannot lower these levels adequately.

Ezetrol may be taken alone or with other cholesterol-lowering medicines known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (or statins), in addition to diet.

In people who have high levels of plant sterols in their blood (which doctors call sitosterolaemia), Ezetrol helps to lower these levels.

Ezetrol works by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. Statins lower cholesterol in a different way, by reducing the amount of cholesterol made in the liver.

Ezetrol adds to the cholesterol-lowering effect of statins.

Your doctor may have prescribed Ezetrol for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Ezetrol has been prescribed for you.

Ezetrol is not addictive.

Special precautions

Do not take Ezetrol if:

• you have an allergy to Ezetrol or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet

• he packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
• he expiry date on the pack has passed

If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work.

• you have active liver disease

• ou are pregnant or breast feeding

If you are not sure whether you should start taking Ezetrol, talk to your doctor.

Ezetrol is not recommended in children less than 10 years of age as there have been no studies of its effects in these children.

Tell your doctor if:

• you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant

• If there is a need to consider using Ezetrol during pregnancy, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it.

• you are breast-feeding

• It is not known if Ezetrol passes into breast milk.

• you have or have had any medical conditions, including liver disease or liver problems

You have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Ezetrol.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• skin rash

This may be a serious side effect. If you have this, you may have had an allergic reaction to Ezetrol. You may need urgent medical attention.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to accident and emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing

• These are serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to Ezetrol. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalization.

• steady abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting

This may be a serious side effect due to inflammation of the pancreas. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalization.

Serious side effects are rare.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice the following:

• unexplained muscle aches, tenderness or weakness

This may be a serious side effect. This is because on rare occasions, muscle problems can be serious, including muscle breakdown resulting in kidney damage. You may need urgent medical attention.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.

Keep all appointment with your doctor. Don’t let anyone else take this medicine.