Observational study of ezetimibe discontinuation in primary care practices in the UK

We investigated the circumstances of ezetimibe discontinuation as its prescribing had been discouraged in some publications. Adults on stable lipid-modifying therapy (LMT) including ezetimibe, who then had >8 weeks cessation in their prescribed ezetimibe regimen (2010–2011) were identified from THIN UK primary care database. Lipid values and parallel changes to other LMT were described overall and in a sub-group with a history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease or familial hypercholesterolaemia (high-risk group). Ezetimibe therapy stopped in 7087 patients after a mean of 38 months; 67.0% were in the high-risk group. No lipid readings were recorded for 16.1% of patients in the year before and 26.2% in the year after ezetimibe stopped; 11.0% and 12.4% in the high-risk group respectively. In the prior year, 60.2% patients with any lipid reading had a total cholesterol (T-cholesterol)