Effect on Serum Lipid Levels of Switching Dose of Ezetimibe from 10 to 5 mg

Although during its initial development, lower doses of ezetimibe reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly, ezetimibe is available only in 10-mg form. Compliant patients receiving ezetimibe 10 mg were randomized in a blinded fashion to continue therapy with ezetimibe 10 mg or to convert to a split-tablet 5-mg dose. Lipid panels were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of therapy. The impact of the 2 ezetimibe dosing strategies on LDL and the achievement of the Adult Treatment Panel III LDL goal was evaluated. One hundred thirty patients receiving ezetimibe 10 mg were screened for eligibility. Thirty-nine of the 130 patients were randomized; 36 patients successfully completed the study. All patients who had achieved their Adult Treatment Panel III LDL goals at baseline remained at their LDL goals after conversion to 5 mg. In conclusion, conversion to the lower dose of ezetimibe did not result in any clinically meaningful or statistically significant changes in any lipid parameter.