Which class of drugs is used to manage high cholesterol by blocking cholesterol absorption?

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors are specifically designed to manage high cholesterol levels by preventing the absorption of dietary cholesterol from the intestines into the bloodstream. This class of drugs, which includes ezetimibe, directly targets the intestinal cells where cholesterol is absorbed, leading to a reduction in the overall levels of cholesterol circulating in the body. By blocking the absorption of cholesterol, these medications can help lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels, which is important for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Statins, while effective in lowering cholesterol, primarily work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme involved in the body's cholesterol production, rather than affecting absorption. Fibrates focus on decreasing triglyceride levels and increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels but do not primarily inhibit cholesterol absorption. Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising HDL cholesterol, but it functions through different mechanisms, including altering lipid metabolism in the liver.

Therefore, the unique action of Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors in blocking the intestinal absorption of cholesterol distinctly qualifies them for the management of high cholesterol in a way that is differentiated from the mechanisms of statins, fibrates, and niacin