Ezetrol

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.

How to take Ezetrol

Taking Ezetrol couldn’t be simpler. Just take one, 10mg tablet orally each day. Before starting Ezetrol, you should start a low-cholesterol diet.

• Ezetrol can be taken with or without food.
• Taking Ezetrol at the same time every day can help to ensure that you don’t forget and miss a dose.
• If you do forget to take your Ezetrol tablet, take it as soon as you remember that same day. If you don’t remember until the following day, skip the missed dose and take your next tablet at the usual time.
• Don’t take twice the amount to make up for a missed dose.

If a clinician has prescribed Ezetrol alongside statins, both medicines can be taken at the same time. If our clinician has prescribed Ezetrol alongside another medication for lowering cholesterol that contains the active ingredient cholestyramine or any other medication containing bile acid sequestrant, you should take Ezetrol at least two hours before or four hours after taking the bile acid sequestrant.

How long does it take Ezetrol to work?

Ezetrol is a fairly fast-acting medication and patients should start to see their cholesterol levels drop within a few weeks of commencing treatment. Our clinician may advise you to have a blood test to confirm its effectiveness around a month or so after starting Ezetrol tablets.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Ezetrol?

When you regularly take medications, it’s not uncommon to make a mistake with the timing or dosage of your tablets. If you accidentally miss a dose of Ezetrol, take the next dose at the usual time the following day. Don’t take twice the amount to make up for a missed dose. It can be helpful to take your tablet at the same time each day and to set a reminder on your phone or watch. If you accidentally take too much Ezetrol, you should contact a clinician immediately. If you have any questions about taking Ezetrol, our clinician can help. You just need to sign in to your account and send them a message.