Ezetimibe 10mg

Antilipemic Agent, 2-Azetidinone

CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship

Ezetimibe/Zetia/Ezetrol works on the brush border of the small intestine where it inhibits the absorption of cholesterol through the sterol transporter Niemann-Pick C1-Like1 (NPC1L1).  Decreased absorption of dietary cholesterol results in less cholesterol being transported to the liver, reduction in liver cholesterol stores and an increase of cholesterol clearance from the blood.  Results in a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol), ApoB, triglycerides and increases HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol).

Ezetimibe/Zetia/Ezetrol is officially indicated for homozygous familial hypercholesteremia, homozygous sitosterolemia, or primary hyperlipidemia all as an adjunct to other lipid lowering agents.  It is also prescribed off-label for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic events after acute coronary syndrome. 

Before starting Ezetimibe/Zetia/Ezetrol make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take, if you have kidney disease, liver disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

10mg once daily

How to Take: Follow instructions provided by physician/pharmacy label, take consistently at same time each day unless otherwise directed, store at room temperature.

Diarrhea, fatigue, arthralgia, limb pain, upper respiratory infection, sinusitis

Note this is not a complete list of side effects, only the most common.

1. Why is this medication only to be used in combination with other cholesterol lowering agents like statins?
   This medication has clinical trials showing its positive effects on cholesterol which we know is a risk factor for atherosclerotic events such as heart attack.  We can infer from this that it helps lower the risk of heart attack however we do not have clinical data that directly shows heart attacks are lower in patients on this medication versus placebo.  Other agents, especially statins, have great direct evidence for reduction of atherosclerotic events so they are the preferred agent.  In some cases, due to severity of condition or due to sensitivity to other medications, cholesterol levels may still be out of range which we still know is a risk factor therefore this medication can be introduced to assist.  This way we can minimize risk the risk of atherosclerotic events in every way possible to ensure the best patient outcome.