Cholesterol-absorption-inhibitors are a class of medications that prevents the absorption of cholesterol from the small intestine into the circulatory system.
What is Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors?
What is Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors? Cholesterol-lowering medication can lower LDL cholesterol and slightly reduce triglyceride levels without affecting the absorption of fat soluble vitamins.
How do Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors works? Cholesterol absorption inhibitors work by blocking the small intestine from absorbing cholesterol.
There are two pathways of cholesterol absorption in the upper intestine: dietary (from food) and biliary (from bile). Food derived cholesterol is available as lipid emulsions in combination with bile salts, to form bile salt micelles from which the intestinal enterocyte can then absorb cholesterol.
Cholesterol-absorption-inhibitors are a cholesterol medication block the absorption of micellar cholesterol, thus reducing the uptake of dietary cholesterol. It depletes the liver stored cholesterol, so the liver increases hepatic LDL receptor activity and thereby increases clearance of circulating LDL. This cholesterol-lowering medication can lower LDL cholesterol and slightly reduce triglyceride levels.
What can you expect from Zetia drug medication? It lower LDL cholesterol by about 15 to 25 percent and triglycerides by 8 percent. When combining with a statin, Zetia might lower LDL cholesterol more than double that of statin alone. For the better result, you have to be strict with your lifestyle changes, such as healthy diet and increased consistent physical activity.
How do you take Zetia drugs? Take this medication drug at the same time each day with or without food. If you are taking Sequestrants, take at least two hours before or four hours after taking Zetia.
Who can use Zetia drugs?
Zetia is suitable for those who are not able to reach their cholesterol target even after taken a maximum dosage of other medications. Your doctor prescribes it if you are unable to tolerate other cholesterol medication drugs because of the liver, muscle, or other side effects.
If you need to lower LDL and triglyceride levels, then Zetia is the best option. Suggest Zetia to those who are willing to follow lifestyle changes such as healthy diet and proper physical activity; otherwise, it will not produce expected result.
Available cholesterol-absorption-inhibitor brands
Common cholesterol-absorption-inhibitor cholesterol drugs available on the market are:
- Ezetimibe (Zetia)
Zetia can be useful in combination with any of the statin drugs.
7+ Possible side effects of Zetia drugs
The most common side effects related to the use of Zetia include:
- Nausea, stomach irritation, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea,
- Dizziness,
- Headache,
- Back pain, joint pain,
- Sinusitis.
- Hypersensitivity reactions include life-threatening angioedema (swelling of the skin and underlying tissues of the head and neck) and skin rash rarely occur.
- Pancreatitis, muscle damage (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis) and hepatitis have also reported.
Stop the medication drug and contact the doctor immediately if experience: Muscle tenderness or soreness, unexplained muscle pain, general malaise, fatigue and weakness, and Fever.