Skip to main content

Ezetimibe (Monograph)

Brand name: Zetia
Drug class: Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
VA class: CV350
Chemical name: [3R-[3α(S*),4β]]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl]-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone
Molecular formula: C24H21F2NO3
CAS number: 163222-33-1

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on May 1, 2023. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Antilipemic agent; cholesterol absorption inhibitor.

Uses for Ezetimibe

Dyslipidemias

Used alone or in combination with a hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (statin) as an adjunct to dietary therapy to decrease elevated serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (apo B), and non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the treatment of primary (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial) hyperlipidemia.

Effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality not established.

Efficacy in patients with Fredrickson type I, III, IV, or V dyslipidemias not established.

Fixed-combination preparation containing ezetimibe and simvastatin (e.g., Vytorin) is used as an adjunct to dietary therapy to decrease elevated serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apo B, triglyceride, and non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations, and to increase HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia. In the IMPROVE-IT study, addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin therapy further reduced LDL cholesterol and improved cardiovascular outcomes in post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. In the SHARP study, fixed-combination preparation of simvastatin and ezetimibe reduced risk of major vascular and atherosclerotic events in patients with chronic kidney disease.

May be used in combination with fenofibrate for incremental effects on serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apo B, and non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. Use with a fibric acid derivative other than fenofibrate not studied and currently not recommended. (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)

Produces negligible increases in HDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Fixed-combination preparation containing bempedoic acid and ezetimibe (Nexlizet) used as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who require additional reduction in LDL-cholesterol concentrations; effects of the fixed-combination preparation on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality not established.

AHA/ACC cholesterol management guidelines state that lifestyle modification is the foundation of ASCVD risk reduction. If pharmacologic therapy is needed, statins are first-line drugs of choice because of their demonstrated benefits in reducing risk of ASCVD. The addition of a nonstatin drug (e.g., ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitor) to statin therapy may be considered in certain high-risk patients who require further reduction in LDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Use in combination with atorvastatin or simvastatin to decrease elevated serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering therapies (e.g., plasma LDL apheresis) or when such therapies are not available.

Effects in patients currently undergoing LDL apheresis compared with those in patients not undergoing the procedure not established. Effects on clinical outcome and modification of other disease parameters (e.g., xanthoma formation, regression of atherosclerosis) not established.

Homozygous Familial Sitosterolemia (Phytosterolemia)

Adjunct to dietary therapy to decrease elevated serum sitosterol and campesterol concentrations in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia.

Reductions in sitosterol and campesterol concentrations were consistent between patients receiving ezetimibe with or without bile acid sequestrants.

Effect of reducing plasma concentrations of sitosterol and campesterol on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality not established.

Ezetimibe Dosage and Administration

General

Administration

Oral Administration

Administer orally without regard to meals.

Combination therapy with a statin or fenofibrate: May administer ezetimibe at same time as the statin or fenofibrate, in accordance with recommended dosing schedule for these drugs.

Combination therapy with a bile acid sequestrant: Administer ≥2 hours before or ≥4 hours after bile acid sequestrant.

Ezetimibe/simvastatin fixed-combination preparation: Administer orally in the evening without regard to meals.

Bempedoic acid/ezetimibe fixed-combination preparation: Administer once daily without regard to meals.

Dosage

Pediatric Patients

Dyslipidemias
Primary Hyperlipidemia and Mixed Dyslipidemia
Oral

Children ≥10 years of age: 10 mg once daily.

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Oral

Children ≥10 years of age: 10 mg once daily.

Homozygous Familial Sitosterolemia
Oral

Children ≥10 years of age: 10 mg once daily.

Adults

Dyslipidemias
Primary Hyperlipidemia and Mixed Dyslipidemia
Oral

10 mg once daily.

Ezetimibe/simvastatin fixed combination (e.g., Vytorin): Initially, ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 10 mg or ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 20 mg once daily in the evening. In patients requiring LDL-cholesterol reductions ≥55%, may initiate therapy with ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 40 mg once daily in the absence of moderate to severe renal impairment (eGFR <60 mL/minute per 1.73 m2). Determine serum cholesterol concentrations ≥2 weeks after initiation or titration of therapy and adjust dosage as needed. Usual maintenance dosage range is ezetimibe 10 mg and simvastatin 10–40 mg once daily. If LDL-cholesterol target goal cannot be achieved with ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 40 mg once daily, do not increase dosage; instead, switch to alternative antilipemic agent(s) that provides greater LDL-cholesterol reduction. Restrict use of ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 80 mg dosage. (See Prescribing Limits under Dosage and Administration.)

Bempedoic acid/ezetimibe fixed combination (Nexlizet): Bempedoic acid 180 mg/ezetimibe 10 mg once daily. Monitor lipoprotein concentrations within 8–12 weeks after initiation of therapy.

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Oral

10 mg once daily.

Ezetimibe/simvastatin fixed combination (Vytorin): Ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 40 mg once daily in the evening. Use as adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable.

Homozygous Familial Sitosterolemia
Oral

10 mg once daily.

Prescribing Limits

Adults

Oral

Restrict use of ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 80 mg dosage to patients who have been receiving long-term therapy (e.g., ≥12 months) at this dosage without evidence of adverse muscular effects. In patients currently tolerating the ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 80 mg daily dosage who require therapy with an interacting drug (i.e., a drug with which concomitant use is contraindicated or is associated with a dose limit for simvastatin), switch to alternative statin or statin-based regimen with less drug interaction potential.

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

Ezetimibe

Mild hepatic impairment: No dosage adjustment needed.

Moderate or severe hepatic impairment: Do not use.

Renal Impairment

Ezetimibe

No dosage adjustment needed in patients with renal impairment.

Ezetimibe/Simvastatin Fixed Combination

Mild renal impairment (eGFR ≥60 mL/minute per 1.73 m2): No dosage adjustment needed.

Chronic kidney disease and eGFR <60 mL/minute per 1.73 m2: Ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 20 mg once daily; use higher dosages with caution and close monitoring. (See Renal Impairment under Cautions.)

Bempedoic Acid/Ezetimibe Fixed Combination

Mild or moderate renal impairment: No dosage adjustment needed.

Severe renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/minute per 1.73 m2) or end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis: Limited to no experience.

Geriatric Patients

No dosage adjustment needed.

Cautions for Ezetimibe

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, and urticaria reported.

Major Toxicities

Hepatic Effects

Transient elevations in serum aminotransferase (AST, ALT) concentrations >3 times the ULN reported. Elevations reported more frequently with ezetimibe-statin combination than with statin monotherapy. Hepatitis reported; however, causal relationship not established.

When used with a statins, perform liver function tests at initiation of therapy and in accordance with the recommended monitoring schedule for the specific statin and as clinically indicated. If ALT or AST concentrations increase to ≥3 times the ULN and are persistent, consider discontinuing ezetimibe and/or the statin.

Musculoskeletal Effects

Marked (>10 times ULN) elevations of CK (CPK) reported. Elevations in CK concentrations reported more frequently with ezetimibe-statin combination than with statin monotherapy.

Myalgia, myopathy (i.e., unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness and CK concentration >10 times ULN), and/or rhabdomyolysis reported. Most cases of rhabdomyolysis occurred in patients receiving statin therapy prior to initiating ezetimibe; however, rhabdomyolysis also reported following ezetimibe monotherapy or following addition of ezetimibe to therapy with agents known to be associated with increased risk of rhabdomyolysis (e.g., fibric acid derivatives).

Predisposing factors for the development of myopathy and/or rhabdomyolysis include increased dosages of statins, age >65 years, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, and potential statin-drug interactions. Immediately discontinue ezetimibe and any concomitant statin or fibric acid derivative (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate) if myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.

General Precautions

Combination Therapy

When used in combination with other drugs (e.g., statins, fenofibrate, bempedoic acid), consider the usual cautions, precautions, and contraindications associated with the other drug.

Risk of Cancer

Findings from the SEAS study suggested a possible increased risk of cancer with use of the fixed combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe. The results of 2 large-scale randomized trials (SHARP and IMPROVE-IT) found no such association. FDA concluded that ezetimibe and the fixed-combination preparation of ezetimibe and simvastatin is not likely to increase the risk of cancer or cancer-related deaths.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.

Fixed combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin: Category X (due to simvastatin component).

Lactation

Distributed into milk in rats; not known whether distributed into human milk. Use with caution in nursing women; not recommended unless potential benefits justify possible risks to infant.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in children <10 years of age; use not recommended in these children.

Safety and efficacy of ezetimibe alone or in fixed combination with simvastatin not established in prepubertal girls or in children ≤10 years of age.

Safety and efficacy of ezetimibe in fixed combination with bempedoic acid not established in pediatric patients.

Geriatric Use

No substantial differences in safety and efficacy relative to younger adults, but increased sensitivity cannot be ruled out.

Use fixed combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin with caution, since age ≥65 years is a risk factor for myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis.

Hepatic Impairment

Safety of increased exposure to ezetimibe in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment currently not known; use not recommended in such patients.

Renal Impairment

In patients with moderate to severe renal impairment receiving ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 20 mg in fixed combination, incidence of certain adverse effects (serious effects; those resulting in drug discontinuance; musculoskeletal effects, liver enzyme abnormalities, or incident cancer) was similar to that with placebo. Use higher dosages with caution and close monitoring in such patients, since renal impairment increases risk for myopathy. (See Renal Impairment under Dosage and Administration.)

Common Adverse Effects

Ezetimibe monotherapy: Upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, arthralgia, sinusitis, pain in extremity, fatigue, influenza.

Ezetimibe in fixed combination with simvastatin: Headache, increased ALT, myalgia, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea.

Ezetimibe in fixed combination with bempedoic acid: Upper respiratory tract infection, muscle spasms, hyperuricemia, back pain, abdominal pain or discomfort, bronchitis, extremity pain, anemia, increased hepatic enzymes, diarrhea, arthralgia, sinusitis, fatigue, influenza.

Drug Interactions

Does not inhibit or induce CYP1A2, 2D6, 2C8, 2C9, or 3A4. Pharmacokinetic interactions with drugs metabolized by these isoenzymes (e.g., caffeine, dextromethorphan, tolbutamide, IV midazolam) unlikely.

When used in fixed combination with simvastatin or bempedoic acid, consider drug interactions associated with simvastatin or bempedoic acid. (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)

Specific Drugs

Drug

Interaction

Comments

Antacids, aluminum and magnesium hydroxides-containing

Decreased ezetimibe peak plasma concentrations but no effect on AUC

Bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine)

Decreased ezetimibe AUC but no effect on peak plasma concentration; may result in reduced LDL-lowering effect

Administer ezetimibe ≥2 hours before or ≥4 hours after bile acid sequestrant

Caffeine

Pharmacokinetic interaction unlikely

Cimetidine

Increased ezetimibe peak plasma concentration but no effect on AUC

Cyclosporine

Increased ezetimibe and cyclosporine concentrations; possible greater ezetimibe exposure in patients with severe renal impairment

Use concomitantly with caution; monitor cyclosporine concentrations with concomitant use

Dextromethorphan

Pharmacokinetic interaction unlikely

Digoxin

No substantial effect on peak plasma concentrations and AUC of digoxin

Fat-soluble vitamins

Pharmacokinetic interaction with vitamins A, D, and E unlikely

Fibric acid derivatives (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil)

Fenofibrate, gemfibrozil: Increased AUC and peak plasma concentrations of ezetimibe; no effect on exposure to the fibric acid derivative

Ezetimibe associated with increased cholesterol excretion in gall bladder bile; fibric acid derivatives may increase cholesterol excretion in bile, leading to cholelithiasis

Cholecystectomy reported

Very rare postmarketing reports of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis with concomitant use

Fenofibrate: If cholelithiasis is suspected, perform gallbladder studies and consider alternative antilipemic therapy

Concomitant use with a fibric acid derivative other than fenofibrate currently not recommended (see Musculoskeletal Effects under Cautions)

Glipizide

No effect on ezetimibe or glipizide exposure

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) (atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin)

Pharmacokinetic interaction unlikely

Rare postmarketing reports of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis with concomitant use

Monitor liver function according to recommendations for statin with concomitant use

Discontinue ezetimibe and any concomitant statin if myopathy diagnosed or suspected (see Musculoskeletal Effects under Cautions)

Midazolam (IV)

Pharmacokinetic interaction unlikely

Mipomersen

No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions observed

No dosage adjustment of ezetimibe or mipomersen required

Niacin (antilipemic dosages [≥1 g daily])

Fixed combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin: Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis reported with concomitant use of simvastatin and niacin dosages ≥1 g daily; risk is greater in Chinese patients

Fixed combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin: Concomitant use of simvastatin and niacin dosages ≥1 g daily not recommended in Chinese patients

Oral contraceptives, ethinyl estradiol- and levonorgestrel-containing

No effect on ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel exposure

Tolbutamide

Pharmacokinetic interaction unlikely

Warfarin

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacologic interaction unlikely based on one study; no effect on R- or S-warfarin exposure

Increased INR with combined ezetimibe-warfarin therapy reported during postmarketing experience; most patients also on other drugs

Monitor INR appropriately if ezetimibe is initiated in a patient receiving warfarin

Ezetimibe Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Approximately 93% of dose is absorbed systemically following oral administration.

Absolute bioavailability cannot be determined because ezetimibe is virtually insoluble in aqueous media suitable for injection. Ezetimibe/simvastatin fixed-combination preparation is bioequivalent to corresponding dosages of the individual components.

Peak plasma concentrations attained within 4–12 hours following oral administration.

Onset

Maximal or near-maximal reductions in serum lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations achieved within 2 weeks.

Duration

Reductions in serum lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations maintained during continued therapy.

Food

Food (high-fat or nonfat meals) does not affect extent of absorption. High-fat meals associated with increased peak plasma concentrations.

Special Populations

Increased plasma concentrations in geriatric individuals (≥65 years of age), in patients with hepatic impairment, and in patients with severe renal impairment. (See Special Populations under Dosage and Administration.)

No differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between blacks and Caucasians. Studies in Asian individuals indicated similar pharmacokinetics as observed in Caucasian individuals.

Distribution

Plasma Protein Binding

>90%.

Elimination

Metabolism

Rapidly metabolized principally in small intestine and liver to ezetimibe glucuronide (active). Ezetimibe and ezetimibe glucuronide constitute approximately 10–20% and 80–90%, respectively, of total drug in plasma.

Possible enterohepatic recycling.

Elimination Route

Excreted in feces (78%) and urine (11%) within 10 days after dosing. Major component in feces is ezetimibe (69% of administered dose); major component in urine is ezetimibe glucuronide (9% of administered dose).

Half-life

Approximately 22 hours for both ezetimibe and ezetimibe glucuronide.

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets

25°C (may be exposed to 15–30°C). Protect from moisture.

Ezetimibe/simvastatin fixed-combination preparation: Well-closed containers at 20–25°C. When subdividing contents of a large-quantity container, repackage into tightly closed, light-resistant containers; entire contents must be repackaged immediately upon opening.

Bempedoic acid/ezetimibe fixed-combination preparation: 20–25ºC (may be exposed to 15–30ºC). Store and dispense in original container. Protect from extreme heat and humidity. Do not discard desiccant.

Actions

Advice to Patients

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Ezetimibe

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Oral

Tablets

10 mg*

Ezetimibe Tablets

Zetia

Merck

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Ezetimibe Combinations

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Oral

Tablets

10 mg with Simvastatin 10 mg*

Ezetimibe and Simvastatin Tablets

Vytorin

Merck

10 mg with Simvastatin 20 mg*

Ezetimibe and Simvastatin Tablets

Vytorin

Merck

10 mg with Simvastatin 40 mg*

Ezetimibe and Simvastatin Tablets

Vytorin

Merck

10 mg with Simvastatin 80 mg*

Ezetimibe and Simvastatin Tablets

Vytorin

Merck

Tablets, film-coated

10 mg with Bempedoic Acid 180 mg

Nexlizet

Esperion

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions May 10, 2021. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

Reload page with references included

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ