Ezetimibe (Zetia)
Mechanism Of Action.
Ezetimibe acts within the intestine to reduce cholesterol absorption. Cholesterol is absorbed from the small intestine by a process that includes specific transporters that have not been completely characterized. Ezetimibe appears to block one or more of these cholesterol transporters, reducing cholesterol absorption.
Therapeutic Uses:
Ezetimibe used alone produces a reduction in plasma cholesterol of about 18 per cent and about 10 per cent decline in plasma triglycerides levels. When combined with a statin, reduction in plasma cholesterol as high as 72 per cent has been reported.
Adverse effects.
Although well tolerated. Adverse effects include;
1. fatigue
2. abdominal pain
3. diarrhoea