Increasing blood cholesterol is a very common problem that many people face. It is worth noting that such changes negatively affect the body, in particular weaken the work of the cardiovascular system, provoke the development of atherosclerosis. It is in such cases that the drug Ezetrol is used. Reviews of experts indicate that the drug really helps to normalize cholesterol, as it is a representative of the new generation of lipid-lowering drugs.
Of course, people who, for one reason or another, are forced to take medicine, are looking for additional information. What is included in the preparation of Ezetrol? Instructions for use, analogues, indications are important information. How does the tool affect the human body? What complications can therapy be associated with? Are there any contraindications? The answers to these questions are worth exploring.
The drug "Ezetrol": photo, description of the composition
To begin with, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the basic information about this drug. Ezetrol medicine is produced in the form of small capsule-shaped tablets of white color (sometimes with a slight shade of beige or yellow). The tablets are packed in convenient blisters of 10 or 14 pieces.
The main active substance of this drug is ezetimibe. One tablet contains 10 mg of this component. Of course, there are other components: lactose monohydrate, sodium lauryl sulfate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone and microcrystalline cellulose.
How does the drug affect the body?
Ezetrol is a drug intended for oral administration. He is a representative of the class of hypolipidemic drugs of the new generation, therefore, its mechanism of action is different (for example, fibrates, statins, sequestrants of bile acids affect the human body in a different way).
Ezetimibe is located in the brush border of the small intestine. Here it slows down the absorption of cholesterol. As a result of such exposure, much less cholesterol enters the liver from the intestines. Thus, natural metabolic processes are started - the cholesterol reserves in the liver are reduced, this substance is much faster removed from the blood.
It is worth noting that the Ezetrol preparation does not affect the excretion of bile acids and does not inhibit the reactions by which cholesterol is synthesized in the liver tissues.
Quite often, the combination of Ezetrol tablets and statins is combined. Statins are known to lower the rate of cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Thanks to the complex interaction of these two drugs, it is possible to quickly lower blood cholesterol and normalize the body.
Pharmacokinetics Information
The active substance of the drug is rapidly absorbed, after which it is conjugated in the tissues of the small intestine and liver structures with the formation of ezetimibe-glucuronide. The maximum concentration of unchanged ezetimibe is observed after 4-12 hours after administration, and its conjugate after 1-2 hours. As already mentioned, a meal (any, including fatty) does not affect the bioavailability of this substance.
Ezetimibe binds to plasma proteins by approximately 99.7% (in the form of glucuronide - by approximately 88-92%). The substance is metabolized in the structures of the small intestine and liver, after which it is excreted together with bile acids.
When should i take pills? List of main indications
In what cases do doctors recommend taking the Ezetrol drug? Doctors' reviews indicate that there are many situations in which this drug can really help.
- The medicine is used to treat primary forms of hypercholesterolemia - a condition that is accompanied by a sharp increase in blood cholesterol. The drug is used both for monotherapy and as an adjuvant in combination with statins and, of course, the corresponding diet.
- Indication for use is the so-called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia - a congenital pathology, which is also associated with an increase in cholesterol in the body. Again, Ezetrol is used in combination with statins.
- There is another disease in which Ezetrol is effective. Doctors' reviews indicate that the drug is necessary for the treatment of homozygous phytosterolemia. This pathological condition is accompanied by an increase in the level of plant sterols in the blood (while the level of cholesterol can be both normal and elevated).
- The indications include sitosterolemia, which is accompanied by an increase in the level of campesterol and sitosterol.
Of course, only the doctor decides whether it is advisable to take the medicine in a particular case.
Instructions for use. Dosage and administration
In no case should you use these medicines on your own. After a thorough diagnosis, only a specialist will be able to draw up the correct treatment regimen using the Ezetrol drug. Reviews of doctors indicate that the most effective and safe is the intake of 10 mg of ezetimibe per day.
In this case, the meal time does not matter. Dose adjustment for patients with renal and / or liver failure is not required. If the therapy involves the use of bile acid sequestrants, the Ezetrol tablet should be taken either two hours before or four hours after sequestrants are used.
The duration of therapy is determined by the attending physician, since here a lot depends on the condition of the patient, the severity of the problem and other factors. Dose adjustment for elderly patients in children is not required (for children, the drug is prescribed only in case of genetic diseases associated with impaired cholesterol metabolism). Drug treatment must be supplemented with a proper lipid-lowering diet - such nutrition principles must be adhered to during therapy and for some time after its completion.
Are there any contraindications?
We have already studied the basic properties of this drug and the spectrum of its use. But is it always advisable to use the drug Ezetrol? Instructions for use, reviews of specialists contain information about the presence of contraindications. It is definitely worth examining the list of restrictions before starting therapy.
- Of course, such a tool should in no case be taken by people suffering from hypersensitivity to both the active component and any other constituent substance of the tablets.
- The list of contraindications include moderate and severe forms of liver failure. The drug is also not prescribed during the acute stage of any liver disease.
- Also, do not take this drug in combination with fibrates and cyclosporins, since the degree of safety in this case is not established.
- Contraindications include the period of pregnancy. The fact is that laboratory tests on this group of patients were not carried out, so it is impossible to say for sure whether the active substance of the drug affects the developmental processes of the fetus.
- Clinical trials have shown that the active component and its metabolites are excreted together with breast milk, so the drug is not prescribed for newly minted mothers during lactation. If there is still a need for therapy, then it is worth temporarily stop breastfeeding, as this can adversely affect the condition of the newborn.
- Also, the drug is not prescribed for children and patients under the age of 18. Studies with representatives of this age group have not been conducted, so there is no information on how the drug can affect a growing body.
Remember that you must inform your doctor about all medications you take, as there is always a chance of an adverse interaction.
Description of possible adverse reactions
Statistical studies suggest that most people tolerate therapy with the use of the Ezetrol drug well - patient reviews confirm this. Nevertheless, there is always a chance of developing complications, and a list of them should be familiarized with before the start of therapy.
- When it comes to monotherapy, the most common side effect is abdominal pain associated with an accumulation of gases, as well as diarrhea. Often patients complain of severe causeless fatigue. The list of possible complications can also include cough, nausea, neck pain caused by muscle cramps. Perhaps a decrease in appetite, increased blood pressure, chest pain, however, such adverse reactions are extremely rare.
As already mentioned, in many cases, statins are taken in combination with Ezetrol (10 mg). Reviews suggest that in such cases, therapy is most often associated with the development of myalgia, the appearance of headaches and an increase in the level of alanine aminotransferase. In addition, skin rashes, including hives, are possible. Patients complain of dry mouth, muscle pain (in particular, back and limb pain), the appearance of peripheral edema.
- If we are talking about the simultaneous use of Ezetrol and fenofibrate, then therapy is often associated with the appearance of intense, abdominal pain.
Once again, it is worth noting that adverse reactions rarely develop with the use of Ezetrol tablets. Reviews indicate that in most cases, a small dose adjustment helps to eliminate all problems. However, sometimes taking the drug has to be noted. In any case, if any unpleasant symptoms or worsening of the condition appear, you need to contact a specialist.
Is an overdose possible? Therapy Features
Many patients are interested in questions about what can happen if you take too much a dose of Ezetrol. Instructions for use, reviews by cardiologists and the results of statistical studies indicate that such cases are extremely rare. Even long-term administration of 50 mg of ezetimibe per day is tolerated by the body of most patients quite well.
Occasionally, taking too large doses of the drug leads to side effects and / or their intensification. In such cases, gastric lavage and sorbent administration are indicated. In the future, symptomatic therapy is carried out aimed at maintaining the normal functioning of the affected systems and organs.
Is it possible to interact with other medicines?
According to the results of clinical trials, these tablets can interact with other drugs:
- If you take Ezetrol and antacid at the same time (regardless of the active substance), then the absorption rate of ezetimibe is markedly reduced. Nevertheless, this practically does not affect the level of bioavailability.
- Cholestyramine also affects the metabolism of ezetimibe.
- The concentration of ezetimbine in the blood increases several times with the intake of cyclosporine.
- Against the background of the simultaneous administration of Ezetrol and fibrates (whether gemfibrozil or fenofibrate), an increase in the total concentration of ezetimibe is observed. It is worth noting that the safety of such therapy is not defined, but they try not to use such a combination. The fact is that fibrates increase the level of cholesterol excretion together with bile, which theoretically increases the likelihood of developing gallstone disease in the future.
- It is worth noting that this drug does not affect the metabolic processes in the human body of glipizide, dapsone, tolbutamide, digoxin, warfarin. Also, against the background of therapy, it is not necessary to refuse to take oral contraceptives.
That is why it is important to inform the specialist about all the medicines taken. It is also worth remembering that you can use any drugs during such therapy only with the permission of the attending physician.
The list of effective analogues. How can I replace the drug?
In modern medical practice, the drug Ezetrol is often used. Reviews, composition, properties - this is important information that must be studied. But what if, for one reason or another, using this drug is not possible?
Of course, the pharmaceutical market offers substitutes. For example, to combat high cholesterol, drugs such as Lipobon and Ezetimibe are used. Effective medicines are also considered such as Zetia, Vitrum Cardio Omega-3. Of course, you can’t select a substitute yourself in any case - this can only be done by the attending physician after studying the results of the tests.
How much is the medicine?
For many patients, experts recommend taking the Ezetrol drug. Instructions, reviews, indications, possible risks - this is the information that many patients are looking for. But no less important factor in this case is the cost of the drug.
Of course, it is impossible to indicate the exact number, since it largely depends on the place of purchase, manufacturer, distributor and many other factors. 1700-200 rubles - this is exactly how much a package of 28 tablets (10 mg each) of Ezetrol will cost.
Reviews, by the way, confirm that this is a very affordable price, because sometimes the packaging is enough to normalize cholesterol. Many potential substitutes will cost a much larger amount, although there are cheaper analogues.
The drug "Ezetrol": reviews of specialists in patients
We have already studied the basic information about this medicine. But what do experts and patients say about Ezetrol? Reviews (who took this tool, they say that it really helps) are mostly positive. The medicine is well tolerated. Only occasionally patients note the appearance of headaches, discomfort in the abdomen. The benefits, of course, include a small number of contraindications.
The intake schedule is also very convenient - you need to drink only one tablet per day. The disadvantages include perhaps the high cost of the drug, but the effect of its use can hardly be overestimated.
Reviews of doctors are also positive. After several days of therapy, significant improvements can be seen in the results of laboratory tests. With the help of the drug and a properly selected diet, you can take control of the level of cholesterol in the blood and thereby prevent the development or further progression of atherosclerosis.