Ezetimibe is used to lower levels of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and other blood lipids in adults and children, commonly as an adjunct to diet and sometimes in combination with other cholesterol-lowering agents, such as statins or fenofibrate[1][3][5][7]. Its primary indications include:
- Primary hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol levels), either alone or in combination with statins or fenofibrate[3][5][7]
- Familial hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous or homozygous), an inherited condition with high cholesterol[1][3][5][7]
- Mixed hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol and triglycerides)[1][5]
- Homozygous familial sitosterolemia (phytosterolemia), a rare hereditary disorder with high plant sterols in the blood[1][5][7]
Ezetimibe works by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines, thereby reducing the amount of cholesterol delivered to the liver and increasing the clearance of cholesterol from the bloodstream[1][2][4][6]. Lowering blood cholesterol and fats may help reduce the risk of heart disease, angina, strokes, and heart attacks due to decreased accumulation of cholesterol in arteries[7].
References
- [1] Ezetimibe (Zetia): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, …
- [2] Ezetimibe (Zetia): a new type of lipid-lowering agent – PMC
- [3] Ezetimibe – StatPearls
- [4] The Mechanism of Action of Ezetimibe (Zetia) on the Inhibition of …
- [5] Ezetimibe: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action – DrugBank
- [6] Pharmacotherapy Update | Ezetimibe (Zetia™)
- [7] Ezetimibe: MedlinePlus Drug Information