If someone has a heart attack and starts taking a cholesterol drug called ezetimibe within 3 months, they’re less likely to have another heart problem in the next 3 years compared to those who wait...

If someone has a heart attack and hasn’t taken cholesterol drugs before, waiting more than 12 weeks to start a drug called ezetimibe might increase their risk of future heart problems — though the data isn’t strong enough to be sure.

For people who've had a recent heart problem, taking ezetimibe with their cholesterol medicine (a statin) helps prevent heart attacks and strokes over 7 years — and doesn't seem to cause extra cancer or liver issues.

Out of nearly 36,000 people hospitalized for heart attacks, most didn't get a cholesterol drug called ezetimibe—even though almost all were already on strong statins. Only about 1 in 6 got it early, and a similar number got it later.

If you've had a heart attack, starting a cholesterol drug called ezetimibe within 3 months might lower your chance of dying from heart problems over the next 3 years, compared to waiting or not taking it at all.

For people with heart disease from clogged arteries, taking a combo of a mid-strength cholesterol drug plus another pill (ezetimibe) doesn’t seem to cause more side effects than taking a strong cholesterol pill alone—at least in the short term.