title: Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ezetimibe in primary hypercholesterolaemia: a pooled analysis from two controlled phase III clinical studies.
abstract: Ezetimibe is a novel cholesterol absorption inhibitor that blocks intestinal absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol. Data from 1719 patients who participated in two multicentre, double-blind studies of ezetimibe were pooled to evaluate the drug's efficacy and safety in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia. Following dietary stabilisation, a two- to 12-week washout period, and a four-week, single-blind, placebo lead-in period, patients were randomised to ezetimibe 10 mg or placebo once daily in the morning for 12 consecutive weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was percent reduction in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol from baseline at endpoint. Ezetimibe reduced LDL-cholesterol by a mean of 18.2% compared with an increase of 0.9% with placebo (p<0.01) and resulted in favourable, statistically significant changes in HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and apo B. The response to ezetimibe was consistent across all subgroups analysed. Ezetimibe was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to placebo.
authors.affiliation: Northwest Lipid Research Clinic, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Avenue, Room 465, Mailstop 359720, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Knopp
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dujovne
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le Beaut
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Lipka
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suresh
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Veltri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001384:Azetidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015930:Diet Records; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000069438:Ezetimibe