What is Ezetrol?
Ezetrol is a branded form of the medication ezetimibe. Ezetrol is used as a treatment for high cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolaemia. Cholesterol is a substance found in many foods, but it’s mostly generated by the liver and is essential for proper body function.
But too much cholesterol isn’t good for you and can block your blood vessels. Ezetrol helps to lower excessive ‘bad’ cholesterol so that patients can enjoy better health. Ezetimibe (the active ingredient in Ezetrol) works in a different way to statins, another cholesterol-lowering medication, and so the two are often combined in order to help patients achieve the maximum benefit from their treatment.
How does Ezetrol work?
In order to understand how Ezetrol works, you first need to understand cholesterol. Cholesterol is a type of fat that is found in the blood. The body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells and do other important jobs, but if your cholesterol levels are too high, it can start to narrow your arteries, making it harder for blood to travel around the body and reach the areas where it is needed.
There are two types of cholesterol. LDL (low density) cholesterol, which is considered bad for our health, and HDL (high density) which is considered to be good.
High levels of bad cholesterol increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, stroke and heart attack. If you already have other risk factors, such as being overweight or smoking, this risk increases even more. The trouble with high cholesterol is that you can’t see it or know what your levels are unless you get tested.
Ezetrol works by limiting the amount of cholesterol you absorb through your intestines. This lowers your bad cholesterol levels to a healthier level. People who take Ezetrol are usually recommended to follow a low-cholesterol diet while on treatment.
Ezetrol shouldn’t be confused with statins, which are a treatment that works on the liver. Instead, Ezetrol provides a viable alternative treatment, or can be used in combination with statins to enhance their effects.
What doses of Ezetrol are there?
Ezetrol comes in a single dose tablet of 10mg, taken once per day. It is essential not to take more than the prescribed dose. Refer to the patient information leaflet for further guidance.