[Ezetimibe (Ezetrol): the statins' partner]

Ezetimibe is a new cholesterol absorption inhibitor that selectively inhibits dietary and biliary cholesterol absorption from the intestine. This drug inhibits cholesterol absorption without affecting the absorption of triglycerides, biliary salts and fat-soluble vitamins. Inhibition of cholesterol absorption using ezetimibe 10 mg/day alone resulted in substantial reductions of plasma LDL-C concentrations (approximately 18%). Coadministration of ezetimibe 10 mg/day with statins 10 mg/day showed LDL lowering comparable to or greater than that of the highest dose of the respective statin alone. Combination therapy of ezetimibe with statins helped more patients in achieving their target LDL-C goal. Ezetimibe in coadministration with statins or alone had also favourable effects on triglycerides and HDL. In clinical studies, ezetimibe alone or coadministered with a statin was shown to have a safety profile (asymptomatic mild increases in aminotransferase levels, without evidence of rhabdomyolysis) similar to placebo or to the statin alone. Large clinical studies on clinical endpoints are in progress.