Ezetimibe in diabetes: more than cholesterol lowering?

Abstract

Ezetimibe, an inhibitor of cholesterol intestinal absorption, is a lipid lowering agent with potential pleiotropic actions. Ezetimibe in combination with a statin is effective in decreasing low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), lowering triglyceride and raising high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Ezetimibe plus statin achieve LDL-C targets in a greater proportion of patients than statin monotherapy. Ezetimibe also seems to improve renal function, insulin resistance and inflammatory markers. These actions are useful in patients with diabetes. Ezetimibe is a well-tolerated and effective (in terms of achieving LDL-C targets) option inpatients with hyperlipidemia with or without diabetes. This editorial will discuss several properties of ezetimibe, with special reference to diabetes.

• Authors: Maria Sarigianni, Niki Katsiki, Dimitri P Mikhailidis
• Journal: Current medical research and opinion (Curr Med Res Opin) Vol. 26 Issue 10 Pg. 2517-20 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1473-4877 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20843163 (Publication Type: Editorial, Evaluation Study)

Chemical References

• Anticholesteremic Agents
• Azetidines
• Cholesterol, HDL
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Drug Combinations
• Simvastatin
• Ezetimibe

Topics

• Anticholesteremic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Azetidines (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cholesterol, HDL (blood)
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Diabetes Mellitus (blood, drug therapy)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Combinations
• Ezetimibe
• Humans
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Simvastatin (administration & dosage)