EZETIMIBE FOR HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA

[gmohan]

Ezetimibe inhibits the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and, if used alone, has a modest effect on lowering LDL-cholesterol, with little effect on other lipoproteins.

It is licensed as an adjunct to dietary manipulation in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia in combination with a statin or alone (if a statin is inappropriate), in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia in combination with a statin, and in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolaemia .
(phytosterolaemia).
If ezetimibe is used in combination with a statin, there is an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis .

UK-guidance
Ezetimibe for treating primary heterozygous-familial and non-familial hypercholesterolaemia .

This guidance should be used with UK guidelines on cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification and familial hypercholesterolaemia: identification and management .Refer to Forum Chapters.

Ezetimibe, alone, is recommended as an option for the treatment of primary (heterozygous-familial or non-familial) hypercholesterolaemia in adult patients in whom initial statin therapy is contraindicated, or who are intolerant of initial statin therapy.

Ezetimibe, in combination with initial statin therapy, is also recommended as an option for the treatment of primary (heterozygous-familial or non-familial) hypercholesterolaemia in adult patients when:
1.serum total or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration is not appropriately controlled either after appropriate dose titration of initial statin therapy or because dose titration is limited by intolerance to the initial statin therapy and,

2.a change from initial statin therapy to an alternative statin is being considered.

Refer to Full Prescribing info in-SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS ON THE DRUG.

G Mohan.