What Causes Severe Muscle Cramps Post Intake Of Zetia?

Posted on Tue, 26 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 Answered on

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have taken Lipitor 80 mg for many years with no visible bad reactions. my doctor recently asked me to add zetia 10 mg to my list of drugs. within 2 weeks, I experienced severe, real severe, muscle cramps in my inner thighs at least 3 times, waking me from sound sleeps. doctor said it was not the zetia and I should continue to take it. I stopped about a week ago and til now have had no cramping since. any suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Zetia is likely to be the cause

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
The temporal relationship of the cramps to Zetia suggests that it is the cause.
Zetia is known to cause muscle inflammation and elevation of creatinine phosphokinase enzyme.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar