Ezetimibe and cancer — reassuring data
As we have blogged, an analysis of post-marketing adverse event reports did not find any increased risk of cancer with ezetimibe▼ compared with statins, either alone or when taken in combination with simvastatin. Although these data are reassuring, it would seem sensible to use ezetimibe▼ only with caution because there is no published evidence of its benefit on clinically important outcomes such as cardiovascular events and its long-term safety is unknown. Prescribers should continue to use evidence-based statins (e.g. simvastatin 40mg/day) first-line in most patients who require a lipid-lowering agent.
A MeReC Bulletin on lipid-modifying treatment is now available. It:
addresses the similarities and differences between NICE guidance for people with and without type 2 diabetes
provides clarification on NICE’s recommendations regarding thresholds for intensifying treatment
discusses the evidence base for high-intensity statins, for rosuvastatin and for ezetimibe▼, the reliability of single cholesterol measurements, and the side effects of statins.
Test your knowledge (or just have some fun) by answering the questions in these quizzes. Suggested answers are given after each question with some additional information and references. You even get a score at the end that you can print out and put in your CPD folder!
Quiz