NAPLEX Practice Question # 96

NAPLEX Examination.

Practice Question # 96.

Ezetimibe (Zetia®) belongs to a new class of inhibitors of GI sterol transporters.

• Th is drug has the ability to reduce dietary cholesterol absorption from the gut to lower the cholesterol component of chylomicrons. Th e reduced delivery of cholesterol to the liver enhances LDL receptor expression and decreases of up to 20% in plasma LDL may be observed.
• In response, the liver increases de novo cholesterol synthesis and ezetimibe–statin combinations may be particularly eff ective in lowering LDL levels, although clear reductions in cardiovascular end points are less obvious.
• Adverse eff ects with ezetimibe use include upper respiratory infections, diarrhea, and pain in the joints and extremities.