Ezetimibe's Effect on Nutrient Absorption

Mechanism of Action and Selectivity

• The American College of Cardiology states that ezetimibe works by targeting the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein at the brush border of the small intestine, which specifically blocks cholesterol uptake into enterocytes, with a highly selective mechanism 1

Key Distinction from Other Lipid-Lowering Agents

• The American Association for Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology are not mentioned, however, Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental journal reports that ezetimibe's selective mechanism makes it unique among intestinally-acting lipid-lowering agents, unlike bile acid sequestrants which can interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and other medications 2