Cholesterol absorption inhibitors 

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors reduce the absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol through the intestines. Therefore it deceases the amount of intestinal cholesterol that is delivered to the liver. Reduced levels of cholesterol delivered to the liver results in increased hepatic LDL (low density lipoprotein) receptor activity, which leads to increased clearance of LDL cholesterol.

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors are used to treat hyperlipidemia, by lowering LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.

Ezetimibe inhibits the absorption of biliary and dietary cholesterol from the small intestine without affecting the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, triglycerides, or bile acids. Ezetimibe localizes at the brush border of the small intestine and decreases cholesterol uptake into the enterocytes.