Beneficial effects of ezetimibe-based therapy in patients with dyslipidemia.

Treatment of dyslipidemia is important for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Although statins induce the intensive lowering of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, two-thirds of cardiovascular events are not prevented. Ezetimibe has been shown to be a selective inhibitor of the Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) transporter of cholesterol across the intestinal wall. Ezetimibe-based therapy may hold the promise of more intensive lowering of LDL cholesterol. This review will address the beneficial effects of ezetimibe in patients with dyslipidemia.