Ezetimibe (IPA: ) is an anti-hyperlipidemic medication which is used to lower cholesterol levels. It acts by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the intestine. It may be used alone when other cholesterol-lowering medications are unable to be tolerated, or together with statins (e.g. ezetimibe/simvastatin) when cholesterol levels are unable to be controlled on statins alone. It is marketed by Schering-Plough and Merck under the trade names Ezetrol, Zetia and Ezemibe.

Pharmacology

---

Ezetimibe localises at the brush border of the small intestine, where it inhibits the absorption of cholesterol from the diet. Specifically, it appears to bind to the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein on the gastrointestinal tract epithelium, a critical mediator of cholesterol absorption.Garcia-Calvo M, Lisnock J, Bull HG, Hawes BE, Burnett DA, Braun MP, et al. The target of ezetimibe is Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005;102(23):8132-7. PMID 15928087 In addition to this direct effect, decreased cholesterol absorption leads to an increase in LDL-cholesterol uptake into cells, thus decreasing levels in the blood plasma.

Clinical use

---

Indications

Ezetimibe is indicated as an adjunct to dietary measures in the management of:

• Hypercholesterolaemia
• Homozygous sitosterolaemia (phytosterolaemia)Rossi S, editor. Australian Medicines Handbook 2006. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook; 2006. ISBN 0-9757919-2-3

More on [ Ezetimibe ]

CFDA: FDA Latest Computer Systems Warning Letters

WL Issued to Amrex Zetron Inc
FDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Amrex Zetron Inc on 14 Apr 2009 by Los Angeles District Office
WL Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board
FDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board on 14 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD
FDA Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD on 09 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Cote, Charles J., MD
FDA Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Cote, Charles J., MD on 02 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Genzyme Corporation
FDA Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Genzyme Corporation on 27 Feb 2009 by New England District Office
WL Issued to Hammill Manufacturing Company
FDA Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Hammill Manufacturing Company on 06 Jan 2009 by Cincinnati District Office

CFDA: FDA Latest Drug GCP Warning Letters

WL Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board
FDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board on 14 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD
FDA Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD on 09 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Bukowski, Ronald M, MD
FDA Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Bukowski, Ronald M, MD on 30 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Youabian, Inc
FDA Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Youabian, Inc on 17 Mar 2009 by Los Angeles District Office
WL Issued to Provena St. Joseph's Medical Center IRB
FDA Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Provena St. Joseph's Medical Center IRB on 12 Mar 2009 by Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Paulson, Daniel M., MD
FDA Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Paulson, Daniel M., MD on 11 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Subscribe to Drugs_and_Medications RSS feed