Ezetimibe
Second-line ApoB lowering. Stacks cleanly with statins when targets aren't met.
Approved Verified 27 August 2026
What it does
Blocks intestinal cholesterol absorption. Modest as monotherapy; its value is as a clean stacking layer when statins alone don't get ApoB to target. Often the cleanest next step before escalating to injectables.
Inhibits NPC1L1, the intestinal cholesterol transporter. Reduced absorption lowers hepatic cholesterol delivery and increases clearance of circulating ApoB particles.
What the evidence shows
Overall evidence strength: High certainty
Who it's for, who should skip
Added to a statin when ApoB target isn't met on statin alone — a reasonable alternative to raising statin dose, depending on tolerability.
Running it
- Form
- oral
- Dose
- 10 mg · daily
Measuring it
Retest ApoB — 4–12 weeks after starting or changing the dose, then every 6–12 months — ApoB follows the lipid-panel schedule..
- LDL-C
- LDL-C
- ApoB
- ApoB
Safety
- generally well-tolerated; rare hepatic enzyme elevation or GI effects
Stacking & alternatives
Access & cost
Prescription or clinician order — typically via cardiology or primary care.
Last reviewed 27 August 2026. Regulatory status verified 27 August 2026.