Anyone taking ZETIA?

Ed said:

My cardiologist has put me on 10mg/day of Zetia.

Has anyone had any experience with this drug?

I have through prescribing it.

Quoted message said:

What side effects have you had if any?

Some of my patients have had muscle aches with it.

Quoted message said:

Is it as effective as a statin?

No.

Quoted message said:

Can it be taken with naicin?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications that
will lower cholesterol?

There are but I am not at liberty to go into the specifics,
here. Sorry.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for your replies.

Praises to God, Ed.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
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Where can I find info about Zetia on the WWW?
"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ed said:

My cardiologist has put me on 10mg/day of Zetia.

Has anyone had any experience with this drug?

I have through prescribing it.

Quoted message said:

What side effects have you had if any?

Some of my patients have had muscle aches with it.

Quoted message said:

Is it as effective as a statin?

No.

Quoted message said:

Can it be taken with naicin?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications that
will lower cholesterol?

There are but I am not at liberty to go into the
specifics, here. Sorry.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for your replies.

Praises to God, Ed.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD Board-Certified Cardiologist
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What is all this about?
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Ed said:

Where can I find info about Zetia on the WWW?

Here's a link:

zetia.comindex.jspOpen ↗

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
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What is all this about?
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Ed said:

My cardiologist has put me on 10mg/day of Zetia.

Has anyone had any experience with this drug? What side
effects have you had if any?

Is it as effective as a statin?

Can it be taken with naicin?

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications that
will lower cholesterol?

Thanks for your replies.

Ed M.

I took it for a short time last year. Recently, I stopped
many of my meds because my liver enzymes spiked and I was
about to go on a strong med that also could effect the
liver. I'm hoping to go back on my statin soon... probably
not with Zetia - just too many pills to remember to take!

It's usually prescribed in addition to your regular statin.
I experienced no side-effects and it did improve my numbers
quite a bit.

L.

"Elva4" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Where can I find info about Zetia on the WWW?

zetia.comiOpen ↗
ndex.jsp

This drug is mainly used to lower LDL . Good
luck....Virginia

In June 2003, Schering-Plough altered the label for
Zetia to include a warning that it may be associated
with allergic reactions, including angioedema, a skin
disease characterized by patches of circumscribed
swelling of the hands, feet, lips and eyelids. Patients
suffering from angioedema often experience swelling of
the mucous membranes and the viscera (internal organs of
the body). Breathing is sometimes difficult, and in
severe cases the disease can be fatal. Rash has also
been linked to Zetia use.

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Ed wrote in article
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

My cardiologist has put me on 10mg/day of Zetia.

This site has information on medications, including zetia.

rxlist.comezetimibe ad.htmOpen ↗
--
Don [email hidden]

Ed said:

Is it as effective as a statin?

You are implying that statins are the 'gold standard'
by which to measure all other interventions, which is a
dangerous mistake. However, the mechanism of ezetimibe
(Zetia) is not a unique mechanism, and is different
from statins.

Quoted message said:

Can it be taken with naicin?

yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications that
will lower cholesterol?

Plant sterols inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption in a
similar manner that zetia does, are less expensive and
available without prescription.

As to other food supplements to address cholesterol (among
other issues as well), you might look into the following:

Guggul extract Niacin Policosanol Red Yeast Rice extract

and several others.

I might add that there are more important therapeutic issues
other than cholesterol to consider if you are attempting to
attenuate atherosclerosis.

--
Winning against heart attack and stroke
sonoscore.comsonoscore.comOpen ↗

Ed said:

Is it as effective as a statin?

You are implying that statins are the 'gold standard'
by which to measure all other interventions, which is a
dangerous mistake. However, the mechanism of ezetimibe
(Zetia) is not a unique mechanism, and is different
from statins.

Quoted message said:

Can it be taken with naicin?

yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications that
will lower cholesterol?

Plant sterols inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption in a
similar manner that zetia does, are less expensive and
available without prescription.

As to other food supplements to address cholesterol (among
other issues as well), you might look into the following:

Guggul extract Niacin Policosanol Red Yeast Rice extract

and several others.

I might add that there are more important therapeutic issues
other than cholesterol to consider if you are attempting to
attenuate atherosclerosis.

--
Winning against heart attack and stroke
sonoscore.comsonoscore.comOpen ↗

Ed said:

Is it as effective as a statin?

You are implying that statins are the 'gold standard'
by which to measure all other interventions, which is a
dangerous mistake. However, the mechanism of ezetimibe
(Zetia) is not a unique mechanism, and is different
from statins.

Quoted message said:

Can it be taken with naicin?

yes.

Quoted message said:

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications that
will lower cholesterol?

Plant sterols inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption in a
similar manner that zetia does, are less expensive and
available without prescription.

As to other food supplements to address cholesterol (among
other issues as well), you might look into the following:

Guggul extract Niacin Policosanol Red Yeast Rice extract

and several others.

I might add that there are more important therapeutic issues
other than cholesterol to consider if you are attempting to
attenuate atherosclerosis.

--
Winning against heart attack and stroke
sonoscore.comsonoscore.comOpen ↗

Sonos said:

Plant sterols inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption in
a similar manner that zetia does, are less expensive and
available without prescription.

As to other food supplements to address cholesterol (among
other issues as well), you might look into the following:

Guggul extract Niacin Policosanol Red Yeast Rice extract

Just to clarify something: re: expense.

For people who have health care, like my self, it is *much*
more cost effective to take a statin to lower cholesterol
numbers than pay for these OTC options. I just came from my
local Vitamin Shoppe and can vouch for that. Under my health
plan, I pay $10 for any 90-day prescription.

As someone who takes supplements, their cost begins to add
up quickly.

L.

"Sonos" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As to other food supplements to address cholesterol (among
other issues as well), you might look into the following:

Guggul extract

from JAMA Vol.290 No. 6, August 13, 2003

"Despite plausible mechanisms of action, guggulipid did not
appear to improve levels of serum cholesterol over the short
term in this population of adults with hypercholesterolemia,
and might in fact raise levels of LDL-C. Guggulipid also
appeared to cause a dermatologic hypersensitivity reaction
in some patients."

jama.ama-assn.org765Open ↗

hj said:

from JAMA Vol.290 No. 6, August 13, 2003

"Despite plausible mechanisms of action, guggulipid did
not appear to improve levels of serum cholesterol over the
short term in this population of adults with
hypercholesterolemia, and might in fact raise levels of
LDL-C. Guggulipid also appeared to cause a dermatologic
hypersensitivity reaction in some patients."

Interesting study, I'm always glad to see research activity
in well known journals. Not suprisingly this is a small
study of short duration. Most nutritional supplement studies
suffer from relative disinterest in funding compared to
prescription medications. "dermatologic hypersensitivity" is
a minor complication however, and reversible with cessation
of the supplement.

Here is another reference you might like, although it is not
exhaustive by any means. A systematic review of "mono
preparations" with only lipid profiles as the outcome.
However, when taken in combination, supplements can provide
a synergistic effect on lipids, at least it has for some
people in my experience. More often than not, I prefer to
add prescription medication to nutraceuticals if individual
goals are not met. Fortunately, these ingredients appear to
facilitate lower dose prescription medications and augment
their desired effects.

The Journal of Family Practice • June 2003 • Vol. 52, No. 6

Herbs for serum cholesterol reduction: A systematic review

Joanna S. Thompson Coon, PhD, BSc (Hons) and Edzard Ernst,
MD, PhD, FRCP (Edin) Peninsula Medical School, Universities
of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, United Kingdom

ABSTRACT

Objectives To systematically review the clinical evidence
for herbal medicinal products in the treatment of
hypercholesterolemia.

Study Design A systematic review of randomized clinical
trials of herbal medicinal products used to lower serum
cholesterol. Systematic literature searches were conducted
in 6 electronic data-bases. The reference lists of all
papers and our files were searched for more relevant
publications. Experts in the field and manufacturers of
identified herbal medicinal products were contacted for
published and unpublished data. No language restrictions
were imposed.

Outcomes Measured All randomized clinical trials of serum
cholesterol reduction, in which mono-preparations of herbal
medicinal products were administered as supplements to human
subjects, were included.

Results Twenty-five randomized clinical trials involving 11
herbal medicinal products were identified. Guggul
(Commiphora mukul), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum),
red yeast rice, and artichoke (Cynara scolymus) have been
most extensively studied and have demonstrated reductions in
total serum cholesterol levels of between10% and 33%. The
methodological quality as assessed by the Jadad score was
less than 3 (maximum, 5) for 13 of the 25 trials.

Conclusions Many herbal medicinal products have potential
hypocholesterolemic activity and encouraging safety
profiles. However, only a limited amount of clinical
research exists to support their efficacy. Further research
is warranted to establish the value of these extracts in the
treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

tinyurl.com2mpo9Open ↗

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"Ed" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

My cardiologist has put me on 10mg/day of Zetia.

Has anyone had any experience with this drug? What side
effects have you had if any?

Is it as effective as a statin?

Can it be taken with naicin?

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications that
will lower cholesterol?

Thanks for your replies.

Ed M.

Why take a fairly new drug for which there is very
little experience, when there is so much more known
about the statins.

Personaly, I would not be interested in being a guinea pig
for the Merck. There is no evidence yet that this drug helps
with important things like mortality and heart attacks.

Kathy

"Sonos" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I might add that there are more important therapeutic
issues other than cholesterol to consider if you are
attempting to attenuate atherosclerosis.

Could you tell us what those are?

Thanks,

Kathy

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Ed said:

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications that
will lower cholesterol?

There are but I am not at liberty to go into the
specifics, here. Sorry.

Sure you are. You are at liberty write about anything
you please.

Kathy

"Ed" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<fBn2c.2607$> > >

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications
that will lower cholesterol?

Barley, 24% LDL reduction. Probably safer than Zetia.

--------------------------------------

Lipids significantly reduced by diets containing barley in
moderately hypercholesterolemic men.

Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J.

Diet & Human Performance Laboratory, Beltsville Human
Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service,
United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD
20705, USA. [email hidden]

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether barley, as the soluble fiber
source, would beneficially change cardiovascular risk
factors. Soluble fiber from oats has been recognized as
beneficial in decreasing blood cholesterol levels. Although
barley contains high amounts of soluble fiber, it is not
consumed as extensively as oats. METHODS: Eighteen
moderately hypercholesterolemic men (28-62 y) consumed a
controlled equilibration diet (Step 1, 30% fat, 55%
carbohydrate, 15% protein, < 300 mg cholesterol) for 2 weeks
followed by the diet with about 20% of energy replaced with
brown rice/whole wheat, (1/2) barley & (1/2) brown
rice/whole wheat or barley (< 0.4 g, 3 g and 6 g added
soluble fiber/2800 kcal, respectively) for 5 weeks in a
Latin square design. Fasting blood was drawn twice weekly.
Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triacylglycerols
were measured enzymatically and lipid fractions were
measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
RESULTS: Compared with prestudy concentrations, total
cholesterol (14%, 17%, and 20%, respectively) and LDL
cholesterol (17%, 17%, and 24%, respectively) were
significantly lower (p < .0001) after the low, medium, and
high-soluble fiber diets. Triacylglycerol was 6%, 10%, and
16% lower (p = 0.09) whereas HDL cholesterol (9%, 7%, and
18%) was higher (p < 0.001) after the experimental diets.
Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol after the high-soluble
fiber diet were significantly lower than concentrations
after the low- or medium-soluble fiber diets. Mean LDL
particle number significantly decreased (p < 0.007) and the
large LDL cholesterol fraction showed a trend toward lower
concentrations (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Increasing soluble
fiber through consumption of barley in a healthy diet can
reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

(Kathy) said:

"Sonos" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I might add that there are more important therapeutic
issues other than cholesterol to consider if you are
attempting to attenuate atherosclerosis.

Could you tell us what those are?

Thanks,

Kathy

Sorry I didn't get to this earlier.

1. endothelial dysfunction
2. inflammation
3. oxidation
4. homocysteine
5. healthy metabolism of lipids
6. platelet aggregation

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Quoted message said:

Just to clarify something: re: expense.

For people who have health care, like my self, it is
*much* more cost effective to take a statin to lower
cholesterol numbers than pay for these OTC options. I just
came from my local Vitamin Shoppe and can vouch for that.
Under my health plan, I pay $10 for any 90-day
prescription.

As someone who takes supplements, their cost begins to add
up quickly.

If you define your health by the amount of dollars in your
pocket, you are missing the boat.

--
Winning against heart attack and stroke
sonoscore.comsonoscore.comOpen ↗

(Kathy) said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Are there any natural/vitamin non drug medications
> that will lower cholesterol?

Barley, 24% LDL reduction. Probably safer than Zetia.

Any complications from Barley? Think of the number of
'patients' who have taken barley (including children and
pregnant women) over the course of 1,000 years and the
reported complication rate. Now think of the number of
'patients' who have taken Zetia, and the reported
complication rate.

Who wins?

Bravo for barley.

There is so much more!

--
Winning against heart attack and stroke
sonoscore.comsonoscore.comOpen ↗