Advanced
Technical
IVT
ezetimibe
Pronunciation: eh-ZET-ih-mybe
A cholesterol absorption inhibitor that blocks dietary cholesterol uptake in the small intestine.
Full Definition
Ezetimibe is a medication that inhibits cholesterol absorption at the brush border of the small intestine by blocking the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) transporter. It is commonly used as add-on therapy to statins when LDL-C goals are not achieved with statin monotherapy. Ezetimibe typically reduces LDL-C by 15-20% and has been shown in clinical trials to provide additional cardiovascular benefit when combined with statin therapy. The medication is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence. Brand name is Zetia.
In Context
- "Ezetimibe was added to maximize LDL-C reduction beyond statin therapy alone." — Treatment plan
- "The combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe achieved the target LDL-C level." — Follow-up assessment
Also known as
cholesterol absorption inhibitor
Don't confuse with
fibrate
bile acid sequestrant