Ezetimibe

About

Ezetimibe is a type of medicine used to lower cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood that can block your blood vessels if levels become too high. This can make you more likely to have heart problems or a stroke. Ezetimibe is used to treat high blood cholesterol. You may also be prescribed ezetimibe if you cannot take cholesterol-lowering medicines called statins, or if a statin medicine does not work for you. Ezetimibe is available on prescription only. It comes as tablets. Ezetimibe also comes mixed with other medicines. When it's mixed with simvastatin, a type of statin, it's known by the brand name Inegy. When ezetimibe is mixed with bempedoic acid, it's called nustendi. Ezetimibe helps stop your body taking in cholesterol from food. It usually lowers cholesterol levels within 2 weeks. You can take this medicine with or without food. Common side effects include stomach (abdominal) pain and diarrhoea. Treatment with ezetimibe is usually for life. Page last reviewed: 1 March 2023 Next review due: 1 March 2026