Ezetimibe

Ezetimibe is a prescription medicine used to treat high cholesterol and a rare genetic condition known as sitosterolemia. The medication, which belongs to a class of drugs called cholesterol absorption inhibitors, works in the digestive tract by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from foods that you eat. Ezetimibe comes in tablet form that is taken once a day and is available in one strength -- ezetimibe 10 mg.

 

What Is Ezetimibe?

Ezetimibe (Zetia®) is a prescription medication used for treating high cholesterol. It is part of a class of drugs called cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
 

Who Makes Ezetimibe?

Ezetimibe is manufactured by both Merck and Schering-Plough.
 

Ezetimibe: Uses

Ezetimibe has been licensed to treat several conditions. These ezetimibe uses include the treatment of:
 
  • High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), used either alone or in combination with other cholesterol medications
     
  • A rare genetic condition called sitosterolemia.
     

Ezetimibe: How Does It Work?

Ezetimibe is part of a class of drugs called cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Ezetimibe works in the digestive tract by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from things that you eat.
 
Because of the effects of ezetimibe, the following forms of cholesterol and fats are decreased:
 
Ezetimibe has little effect on HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) by itself.
 
If ezetimibe is prescribed, it should be used as a way to lower cholesterol. However, anyone with high cholesterol should also make certain lifestyle changes, including eating a low-cholesterol diet, getting regular exercise, and losing weight if necessary (see BMI Calculator to find your ideal weight). This will decrease your risk of heart disease and the amount of medicine that you need to take.
 
(Click High Cholesterol Risk to see a list of risk factors that may affect your cholesterol level and some general guidelines about ideal LDL cholesterol levels.)
 
(Ezetimibe Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;