Ezetimibe, also known as SCH 58235, is a drug that lowers plasma cholesterol levels. It acts by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the small intestine. It may be used alone when other cholesterol-lowering medications are not tolerated, or together with statins (e.g., ezetimibe/simvastatin) when statins alone do not control cholesterol. Ezetimibe is recommended as second line therapy for those intolerant of statins or unable to achieve target LDL cholesterol levels on statins alone by several major medical group practice guidelines, but not by those of the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.