Peter Kent

Anti-Cholesterol Drugs: A Background

Zetia, as well as Vytorin, are prescription drugs given to patients who suffer from high cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease. However, while Zetia is supposed to lower the growth of plaque within the arteries, it was recently discovered to actually do the opposite. News reports have linked the drug to several studies showing an increased growth of plaque among victims.

As the obesity rate in America grows, so does the increased risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and even diabetes 2. The American Heart Association states that nearly one in five U.S. citizens have an increased chance of heart attack or other heart-related incidences and heart disease is becoming the number on killer among women in this country. However, with an increased heart disease rate comes a vast array of presciption drug to help lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

The cholesterol cure-all for the pharmaceutical industry came in the form of a kind of drugs called statins. Initially, statins were prescribed in a pharmaceutical regimen designed to fight high cholesterol. Statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting a certain enzyme, which in turn stimulates LDL (bad cholesterol) receptors in the liver, resulting in an increased clearance of LDL's from the bloodstream and an overall decrease in blood cholesterol levels. Results are almost immediate; within a week, the first results of the drug are apparent, but after only four to six weeks, the drugs effect is maximized. It is considered a popular option because the LDL levels are usually reduced anywhere from 30 percent to 50 percent.

Recently, drug manufacturer Merck and chemical research company Schering-Plough announced a new medication to combat high cholesterol. Zetia, known chemically as Ezetimibe, is an anti-hyperlipidemic medication which is used to lower cholesterol levels. Available as an alternative to statin therapy is Zetia. It acts by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the intestine. Zetia has also been combined with statin therapy in a single pill marketed as Vytorin.

On January 14, 2008, The New York Times reported that a clinical trial of Zetia designed to show that the drug could reduce the growth of fatty plaques in arteries instead showed a growth of plaques. The ENHANCE trial from the two companies ended in the middle of 2006, with results not scheduled for relase until nearly a year later in March 2007. After the news reported several missed deadlines from the companies, they agreed to publish the results. Additionally, the American College of Cardiology stated in their press release for the ENHANCE study that, "The results of the trial show no benefit from the combination of ezetimibe (Zetia) and simvastatin (sold together as Vytorin) over simvastatin alone in terms of affecting the rate of atherosclerosis(fatty plaque) progression." They went on to say that, "this study deserves serious thought and follow-up."

The evidence of some less scrupulous actions continues. A congressional investigation into the companys' actions was announced. The delayed results and the questionable study surrounding Zetia have led many to question its worth on the pharmaceutical market.

If you or anyone you know has taken Zetia and is concerned about possible Zetia side effects or lower Zetia effectiveness, it may be in your best interest to contact a Zetia law firm or a Zetia lawyer for counsel on Zetia and a possible Zetia lawsuit.

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