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Effectiveness of thrice weekly ezetimibe.
Am J Cardiol. 2008 Nov 1;102(9):1205-6
Authors: Venero CV, Venero JV, Seip RL, Thompson PD
Ezetimibe is usually dosed daily, but its 22-hour elimination half-life permits significant cholesterol reduction with less frequent dosing. The aim of this study was to examine lipid changes in 33 patients treated with thrice-weekly ezetimibe for >/=1 month, who had pre- and postezetimibe lipid levels and no other concurrent changes in their lipid treatment. Ninety-four percent of the patients were treated with ezetimibe because they experienced myalgias, elevated transaminase levels, or gastrointestinal intolerance with higher doses of other lipid-lowering agents. Total cholesterol decreased by 15% (-36 +/- 28 mg/dl, p <0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 20% (-30 +/- 25 mg/dl, p <0.001) during 58 +/- 50 days of treatment. Most patients (85%) tolerated the treatment, and many (48%) achieved their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals. In conclusion, thrice-weekly ezetimibe decreases total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and is well tolerated. It is a viable treatment for patients intolerant of other lipid-lowering medications.
PMID: 18940292 [PubMed - in process]