Zetia is the brand name of the drug ezetimibe and is only available with a doctor's prescription. It belongs to the class of medications called antilipemic agents. It is available as a tablet, and the usual dose is 10 mg per day. Zetia is used to lower cholesterol levels. The medication must be used as directed by a physician.
Action of Zetia
Zetia blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. The cholesterol from meals is instead released from the body. In the absence of dietary cholesterol, Zetia blocks reabsorption of cholesterol released in the bile, states "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology." This leads to a decrease in LDL cholesterol, which is the harmful cholesterol, and an increase in HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are chemicals in the body that contain the fat. They are made from the fat that comes from the diet or made from carbohydrates. An excessive amount of triglycerides in the body is known as hypertriglyceridemia. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dL. Levels between 150 and 199 mg/dL are considered borderline high, and anything equal to or greater than 200 mg/dL is considered high. An elevated triglyceride level may increase the risk of coronary artery disease. The patient should have levels measured by a routine blood test.
Diet and Exercise
Hypertriglyceridemia is treated by obtaining a desirable body weight, exercising regularly and consuming a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, explains "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach." Patients who smoke or consume alcohol are advised to stop.
Drug Therapy
Patients must be monitored appropriately by a physician to determine if drug therapy is necessary. When diet and exercise do no effectively lower triglyceride levels, the patient may be placed on medical therapy. Drugs useful in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia include niacin, gembrozil and statins such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin. Patients with borderline high triglycerides who also have risk factors of coronary heart disease, family history of coronary heart disease, high LDL, low HDL and genetic forms of hypertriglyceridemia may be started on niacin, states "Pharmacotherapy."
Zetia's Effect on Triglycerides
Zetia may lower the level of triglycerides in the body. However, the medication does not have an indication for hypertriglyceridemia. Patients who have high cholesterol levels and also have high triglyceride levels may see an improvement in triglyceride levels. A physician can determine if the use of Zetia is appropriate.
References
- "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology"; Bertram G. Katzung; 2007
- American Heart Association: Triglycerides
- "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach"; Josep T. Dipiro, Robert L. Talbert, et al.; 2008
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