Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 15, 2025
11:06
Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
5.0K
Liver Injury Associated With Ezetimibe Monotherapy.
Tharsan Kanagalingam1, Julieta Lazarte1,2,3, David K H Wong4
1Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
CJC Open
|March 1, 2021
Summary
Ezetimibe is a well-tolerated non-statin drug for lowering cholesterol. However, this report details an extremely rare case of liver injury associated with ezetimibe use, necessitating long-term immunosuppressive treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hepatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a significant cardiovascular risk factor.
- Statin therapy is the first-line treatment for hypercholesterolemia but can cause intolerance, primarily myalgia.
- Ezetimibe offers an alternative for LDL-C reduction, often used in statin-intolerant patients, and is generally well-tolerated.
Observation:
- This case report details an extremely rare instance of liver injury.
- The patient developed hepatic abnormalities during ezetimibe treatment.
- Other potential causes for liver injury were ruled out.
Findings:
- Ezetimibe, typically safe, was associated with severe liver injury in this patient.
- The liver injury required prolonged treatment with prednisone and azathioprine, indicating a significant adverse reaction.
- This highlights a rare but serious potential side effect of ezetimibe.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider ezetimibe-associated liver injury in patients presenting with unexplained hepatic abnormalities.
- Early recognition and withdrawal of the offending agent are crucial.
- Further vigilance is warranted for rare adverse drug reactions even with generally safe medications like ezetimibe.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
1.1K
Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
1.1K
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
78
Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...
78
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
97
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
97
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
423
Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
423
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
74
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
74
01:26Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
1.6K
Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
1.6K