Ezetimibe--an update.

Ezetimibe (Ezetrol - MSD-Schering Plough) is a lipid-lowering drug that reduces plasma concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol when used alone or in combination with a statin. In 2004, we could find no evidence on the effects of ezetimibe on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and concluded that it should not replace a statin in the routine management of patients at increased risk of developing complications of atherosclerotic disease.1 Since then, a fixed-dose combination product, containing simvastatin and ezetimibe ( Inegy - MSD-Schering Plough), has been launched in the UK, and new evidence on the safety and efficacy of ezetimibe has been published. Here we reconsider ezetimibe in light of the new product and data.