Role of ezetimibe in the management of patients with atherosclerosis.
Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is central to the management of patients at risk of atherosclerosis. Traditional treatment has focused on modifying the endogenous lipid pathway using statins. Ezetimibe, a selective inhibitor of cholesterol absorption, has proved to be highly effective in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and its use has soared, especially in the United States. Unfortunately, there is currently no evidence proving that treatment with ezetimibe is linked to a reduction in cardiovascular events; therefore, its choice as a drug to lower cholesterol is currently controversial.
Hamilton
Paul
P
Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK. pk_hamilton@yahoo.co.uk
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001384:Azetidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015536:Down-Regulation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000069438:Ezetimibe