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 ]

Ezetimibe - Twitter Search

#SideEfects of Ezetrol. Ezetimibe #cholesterol # http://t.co/mKpnDaru #drug
ManuraNanayakka (Manura Nanayakkara) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:55:36 -0000
#SideEfects of Ezetrol. Ezetimibe #cholesterol # http://t.co/mKpnDaru #drug
Ezetimibe, a drug cholesterol inhibiting drug approved for use in humans, inhibits infection by the hepatitis C virus http://t.co/EUBOx2RO
TwitAIDS (Jose Este) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:41:22 -0000
Ezetimibe, a drug cholesterol inhibiting drug approved for use in humans, inhibits infection by the hepatitis C virus http://t.co/EUBOx2RO
Ezetimibe and Regression of Carotid Atherosclerosis: Importance of Measuring Plaque Burden. http://t.co/zUag Subscribe to Ezetimibe RSS feed