Ezetimibe — maximising cholesterol reduction through dual inhibition

Abstract

Statins cannot always bring plasma lipoprotein levels to target because they only attack one element of the cholesterol homoeostatic pathway. By inhibiting cholesterol absorption as well, using ezetimibe, additional benefits may be obtained. Ezetimibe co-administered with low-dose statin may give an additional 10% reduction in triglyceride, 14% reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and a 5% rise in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol compared to statin alone.

In one study, significantly better National Cholesterol Education Program goal achievement was seen with co-administration of ezetimibe and a statin compared to statin treatment alone. Ezetimibe plus a statin is generally well tolerated.