Ezegelan^®

Ezegelan^® contains the active substance ezetimibe.

Ezegelan^® is a medicine for lowering elevated cholesterol levels.

Ezegelan^® lowers the levels of total cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) as well as fatty substances called triglycerides in the blood. In addition, Ezegelan^® increases the levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL cholesterol).

Ezetimibe, the active ingredient in Ezegelan^®, reduces the absorption of cholesterol through the digestive tract.

Ezegelan^® complements the cholesterol-lowering effect of statins, a class of medicines that lower the body’s own cholesterol.

Cholesterol is one of several fats in the blood. Your total cholesterol consists mainly of LDL and HDL cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol is often called “bad” cholesterol because it can accumulate in the walls of arteries and form deposits (called plaques) there. These plaques could eventually lead to narrowing of the arteries. This narrowing can cause a blood flow problem or a vessel blockage in vital organs such as the heart or brain. Such a vessel occlusion can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

HDL cholesterol is often called “good” cholesterol because it helps prevent “bad” cholesterol from accumulating in the arteries and protects against heart disease.

Triglycerides are other blood fats that can also increase your risk of heart disease.

Ezegelan^® is used in patients whose cholesterol levels cannot be adequately controlled by diet alone. Maintain a cholesterol-lowering diet during treatment with this medicine.

• Ezegelan^® is taken in addition to a cholesterol-lowering diet if you have elevated blood cholesterol (primary hypercholesterolaemia [familial heterozygous and non-familial heterozygous]) together with a statin when statins alone do not adequately control cholesterol.
• alone, if statin treatment is unsuitable or not tolerated.
• If you have a hereditary condition (homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia) that raises your blood cholesterol level. You will also be prescribed a statin and may receive additional treatment.

If you have heart disease, Ezegelan^® in combination with a cholesterol-lowering medicine called a statin reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, as well as the risk of having surgery to improve blood flow to the heart or being hospitalised for chest pain.

Ezegelan^® does not help you lose body weight.