The Plasma Concentration and LDL-C Relationship in Patients Receiving Ezetimibe

Ezetimibe is a novel selective inhibitor of intestinal cholesterol absorption, which has been shown to significantly decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). In this article, the relationship between plasma ezetimibe concentrations and lowering of LDL-C is determined using Emax and regression models. Data from two phase II double-blind placebo-controlled studies (n = 232 and 177) were used in which daily doses of ezetimibe ranging from 0.25 to 10 mg were administered for 12 weeks. Ezetimibe concentrations correlated significantly with percentage change in LDL-C from baseline (%LDL-C). Reductions in %LDL-C of 10%, 15%, and 20% were achieved with concentrations in the ranges 0 to 2, 2 to 15, and > 15 ng/ml, respectively, as compared with placebo. To achieve > 15% reduction in LDL-C, patients need to maintain trough concentrations > 15 ng/ml, taking plasma concentrations as a surrogate for concentrations at the enterocyte. Based on the doses administered, the 10 mg dose had the highest likelihood of sustaining such concentrations, confirming that a daily 10 mg dose of ezetimibe is an optimal therapeutic dose in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.