Ezetimibe (Zetia): a new type of lipid-lowering agent

Jigna Patel, PharmD candidate, Valerie Sheehan, PharmD, and Cheryle Gurk-Turner, RPh

From the Department of Pharmacy Services, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Corresponding author: Cheryle Gurk-Turner, RPh, Department of Pharmacy Services, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75246 (e-mail: ck.turner@BaylorHealth.edu).

Ezetimibe (Zetia) is distinct from other cholesterol-reducing agents because it does not inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver or increase bile acid excretion. It belongs to a class of lipid-lowering compounds that selectively inhibits the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and related phytosterols. Ezetimibe's pharmacological effect is complementary to that of the statins (1).

^{This article reviews the indications, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, dosing, drug interactions, and costs of ezetimibe and summarizes some of the major clinical trials involving the drug.}

Conclusions: Results appear to corroborate a growing body of evidence supporting nurse intervention protocols as a way to improve diabetes care. A randomized controlled trial is planned to examine the effectiveness of the DRN.