Ezetimibe does its job in the gut
An elevated cholesterol level occurs in a quarter of people over the age of 35. A cholesterol-lowering diet can help. If that is not enough, the doctor often prescribes cholesterol-lowering drugs. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors for example.
You can do a lot yourself to lower your cholesterol. The switch to a healthy, varied diet is – together with smoking cessation – the most important. However, that is not always sufficient. Sometimes medication has to be used. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors, more commonly known as ezetimibe, can help address elevated cholesterol.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors are not the only drugs that are prescribed for elevated cholesterol levels. Other options are:
- statins
- bile acid sequestrants
- fibrates
- nicotinic acid derivatives
How do cholesterol absorption inhibitors work?
Ezetimibe inhibits the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines by inhibiting the special cholesterol transport mechanism in the intestinal cells. It therefore prevents the absorption of cholesterol from your diet and from bile. As a result, the gut releases less cholesterol to the liver. It takes effect within a week and the effect is optimal after two to four weeks.
Ezetimibe is not the drug of choice for high cholesterol, because the effect of statins is better. It is actually only prescribed as a single agent if other agents cause too many side effects or if someone is not allowed to use another cholesterol inhibitor. However, it is often prescribed as a combination drug with statins. Due to the combined effect, cholesterol can fall sharply with relatively light doses. The chance of any side effects is then as low as possible.
Effect of Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
Ezetimide can lower bad LDL cholesterol by up to 20 percent. When combined with a statin, this cholesterol absorption inhibitor can lower LDL cholesterol by an additional 20–25 percent on average. In addition, ezetimide slightly lowers triglyceride (fat) levels and increases good HDL cholesterol levels.
Side Effects Of Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
Ezetimibe has few side effects. If side effects occur, they often disappear quickly. The most common side effect is gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Ezetimibe can also cause muscle aches and headaches, especially when combined with statins.
Who Shouldn’t Take Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take cholesterol absorption inhibitors. People taking cyclosporine (a drug prescribed for autoimmune diseases and for organ rejection after transplantation) should be careful with it.