Ezetimibe (Zetia), an intestinal cholesterol absorption inhibitor, has a unique mechanism of action, distinct from those of statins and bile acid sequestrants. Ezetimibe, approved in late October, represents the first new class of cholesterol-lowering drugs in 15 years. When used as monotherapy, ezetimibe lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels up to 18.5%. Coadministration of ezetimibe with statin therapy reduces LDL-C levels up to an additional 22%, further improves levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (up to +3%) and triglycerides (up to 11%), and enables greater numbers of patients (72% vs 19%) to achieve their LDL-C goal. Ezetimibe monotherapy is tolerated as well as placebo, and coadministration of ezetimibe
