Ezetimibe is a lipid-lowering medication that reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the small intestine. It is commonly used when lifestyle changes or statins alone do not adequately control cholesterol levels.
Main benefits:
Significantly lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by decreasing dietary and biliary cholesterol absorption
Enhances LDL reduction when combined with statins, allowing lower statin doses in some patients
Helps reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals
Useful for patients who cannot tolerate high-dose statins
Does not significantly affect liver enzymes or muscle tissue when used alone
Main side effects:
Gastrointestinal discomfort (abdominal pain, diarrhea)
Headache or fatigue
Muscle pain (more common when used with statins)
Ezetimibe is generally well tolerated and is often part of long-term cholesterol management.