title: The use of ezetimibe in achieving low density lipoprotein lowering goals in clinical practice: position statement of a United Kingdom consensus panel.
abstract: There is no doubt that lowering serum cholesterol levels reduces the risk of major coronary events. This evidence has led treatment guidelines to set progressively lower targets for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, despite widespread use of statins, substantial numbers of patients do not achieve the LDL-C goals. Using higher doses of statins in an attempt to achieve these targets may increase the risk of serious adverse effects. Furthermore, the use of combination therapy with agents such as bile acid sequestrants, niacin and fibrates has been limited by increased potential for side effects, drug interactions and poor compliance. Ezetimibe, a selective cholesterol transport inhibitor, reduces the intestinal uptake of cholesterol without affecting absorption of triglycerides or fat-soluble vitamins. In clinical studies, ezetimibe 10 mg, in combination with statins or as monotherapy, was well tolerated and reduced LDL-C by 34-53% and 17-18%, respectively. The available evidence for ezetimibe is reviewed. The role of ezetimibe in increasing the proportion of patients attaining LDL-C treatment goals is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dept Clinical Biochemistry (Vascular Disease Prevention Clinics) Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free & University College Medical School, London, UK. mikhailidis@aol.com
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Wierzbicki
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Daskalopoulou
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Saady
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Monkman
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pittard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schachter
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001384:Azetidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D032921:Consensus; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000069438:Ezetimibe