Ezetimibe and recent clinical trials: a look on the bright side.

Ezetimibe is a lipid lowering medication that is able to inhibit dietary cholesterol. It can be used alone or in combination with statin therapy. The definitive IMPROVE-IT (Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial) study will reveal the impact of ezetimibe in decreasing coronary vascular disease. The SHARP trial (Study of Heart And Renal Protection) will evaluate the effects of lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with ezetimibe 10 mg and simvastatin 20 mg/day versus placebo in patients with chronic kidney disease. Recently, in a post-marketing analysis of reported adverse events, it was clearly demonstrated that ezetimibe or the combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin does not increase risk of cancer. The current evidence suggests that ezetimibe should be considered as a safe and effective lipid-lowering agent. This article projects the potential benefits of current and possible future ezetimibe clinical trials.