Ezetimibe (Zetia): For High Cholesterol

• Ezetimibe lowers LDL cholesterol by 15–25% by blocking cholesterol absorption in the small intestine, making it effective alone or with statins.
• Better than doubling statin dose, which only adds ~6% LDL reduction; ezetimibe is the preferred add-on when LDL targets aren’t met.
• Patients using this combination are nearly three times more likely to reach their healthy cholesterol targets compared to those using only a single high-dose medication.
• You can buy Ezetimibe through Marley Drug for just $70 for a full year’s supply.

Ezetimibe (brand: Zetia) is a prescription medication used to lower high cholesterol. It is prescribed when a statin alone isn't doing enough, or for people who cannot tolerate high doses of statins. It can be taken by itself, but it is most often used as an "adjunct therapy" along with a statin.

How Does It Work?

To understand Ezetimibe, you have to look at your body as having two "sources" of cholesterol: the liver (the factory) and the gut (the entryway).

While statins work in the liver to stop cholesterol production, Ezetimibe targets the small intestine. It specifically blocks a protein called NPC1L1, which acts like a "gatekeeper" for cholesterol.

By "locking" this gate, Ezetimibe prevents cholesterol from your diet and your body's own bile from being absorbed into your bloodstream.

Ezetimibe vs. Statins

Think of it as two different ways to clear a traffic jam. Statins stop more "cars" (cholesterol) from being built in the factory (the liver). Ezetimibe stops "cars" from entering the highway through the on-ramp (the gut).

Because they work on two different pathways, they are much more effective when used together than either one is alone.

Efficacy: What the Data Shows

The data is clear. Ezetimibe provides a predictable and significant boost for your heart health.

• As a Standalone Therapy: For statin intolerant patients, Ezetimibe provides an 18% to 20% reduction in LDL-C.
• As an Add-on Therapy: When added to any dose of a statin, it consistently delivers an additional 15% to 25% reduction in LDL cholesterol.

The "Rule of Six" Advantage

• Doubleing the statin dose, you get an average of 6% more reduction.
• Adding Ezetimibe to the current statin dose, you get up to 25% more reduction.

Adding Ezetimibe is roughly 3 to 4 times more effective at lowering LDL-C than doubling the statin dose.

The Power of Combination Therapy

In clinical trials, patients who use combination therapy are far more likely to hit their LDL-C goals:

• 2.5 to 3 Times More Likely: Studies show that adding Ezetimibe makes nearly three times more likely to reach the target LDL-C compared to doubling the statin dose.
• Goal Achievement: In a major analysis of 47 clinical trials, the combination of a statin plus Ezetimibe helped about 85% more patients reach an ideal goal of <70 mg/dL compared to those on a statin alone.
• The "Gap" in Care: Currently, only 20% of patients on statin therapy reach their target goals. Adding Ezetimibe is the most common way to bridge that gap.

Zypitamag + Ezetimibe

One of the most effective combinations for high-risk patients is pairing Zypitamag (pitavastatin) with Ezetimibe.

• Zypitamag (4 mg) can reduce LDL-C by up to 45%. Zypitamag is a moderate intensity statin with a lower risk of drug interactions.
• Adding Ezetimibe adds another 15–25% reduction.

This dual-action approach (blocking production in the liver + blocking absorption in the gut) can lead to a total reduction that is often impossible with a single medication.

Side Effects and Safety

Ezetimibe is generally well-tolerated. Most people do not experience significant side effects, but some may include:

• Diarrhea or upset stomach
• Feeling tired (fatigue)
• Joint pain
• Cold-like symptoms (stuffy nose or sore throat)

Who should NOT take Ezetimibe?

• Liver Disease: You should not take Ezetimibe if you have moderate to severe liver disease.
• Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to Ezetimibe in the past.
• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Ezetimibe is generally not recommended during pregnancy, especially when taken with a statin (as statins are contraindicated during pregnancy).

Ordering Ezetimibe on Marley Drug

Ezetimibe is included in our Wholesale Price List. You can get a full year’s supply (360 tablets) for $70 per year. That breaks down to less than $6 a month, with no insurance or coupons required.