Congress Investigating Cholesterol-Fighting Drug Vytorin

A Congressional panel wants to know more about clinical trials of the blockbuster cholesterol-fighting drug Vytorin, which has been linked to increased risks of heart attack and stroke.

Vytorin, a product of Merck and Co. and Schering-Plough Corp., is a pill that combines the drugs Zetia and Zocor to lower “bad” cholesterol. Studies have shown, however, that Vytorin can result in more heart-related deaths. Also, some studies have found Vytorin is no more effective than Zocor, a cheaper generic drug, when taken alone.

Earlier this year, Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Cal.), chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, asked Merck and Schering-Plough to provide additional documents for Vytorin clinical trials that are now underway. Waxman specifically asked about patient safety monitoring boards, which oversee the clinical trials.

The makers of Vytorin have been accused of hiding or delaying the release of unfavorable study results in order to gain Food and Drug Administration approvals. Merck and Schering-Plough recently agreed to pay $5.4 million to settle civil claims that the companies buried negative study results for Vytorin and another of the companies’ cholesterol-fighting drugs.

Vytorin is a top earner for the companies, having earned about $5 billion in sales in 2007.

AUTHOR: tgrenda

22 Responses to “Congress Investigating Cholesterol-Fighting Drug Vytorin”

Posted by Arleta Childers on November 17th, 2009 at 12:12 PM

GHi

I waas wondering if there is any evidence that this drug leads to liver diseases?

Arleta

Posted by mj friedley on November 17th, 2009 at 12:12 PM

I understand that there are Attorneys handling the class action suit, I would like their contact names, I was on this drug for almost 4 years.

Thank You,

MJ Friedley
ac8002001@yahoo.com

Posted by Merl Webster on November 17th, 2009 at 12:18 PM

Question:

Why bother with Vitorin at all?

YOu evidently approve of the poisonous chemtrails and its additives.

Posted by Graylon Morrison on November 17th, 2009 at 12:33 PM

I took Vytorin for my cholesterol, and was take off of it after I was hospitalized and found out it was breaking my muscles down.

I was a very sick man at that point, I was ask not to take Vytorin any more.

Posted by James Mitchell on November 17th, 2009 at 12:53 PM

Please keep me informed of this action, as I have taken Vytorin for several years.

Thank You,
Mr. James P. Mitchell
mitchelljim6@aol.com

Posted by Mary Bruders on November 17th, 2009 at 1:12 PM

I have taken Vitorin for some time and it did nothing to lower my bad cholesterol. Now I am on Crestor and having much better results.

Posted by clight on November 17th, 2009 at 1:35 PM

This is the reason health care does not work like it should.
That is why other countries are pulling ahead. But what the president wants to do is not where the problems are.

Posted by Ray De Luca on November 17th, 2009 at 1:40 PM

What else is new $ counts that’s all they care about How many lobbyists have stocks?

Posted by Ray De Luca on November 17th, 2009 at 1:41 PM

$ counts that’s all there is to it .How many lobbiests have stock in Pharms

Posted by BEVERLY on November 17th, 2009 at 1:46 PM

TOOK VYTORIN FOR A MONTH. MADE MY MUSCLES AND NERVES VERY PANFUL. STOPPED IT AND PAIN WENT AWAY. THAT MEDS IS REALLY

Posted by Michael on November 17th, 2009 at 3:48 PM

Too bad we don’t hang people anymore or maybe this crap wouldn’t go on!The people responsible should at least be shot!AND the people that let them get away with it!I call it America’s Genaside caused by a few and we let them get away with it.
I hope there is a GOD and they all burn in hell!
I hope this still free speech and not considered a terroristic threat just because I mumbled something under my breath about the high and mighty in this country!
If u think I am,the hell with you too,fool!

Posted by JIM on November 17th, 2009 at 5:18 PM

THESE BASTARDS WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO MAKE A PROFIT. THEY MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE ONCE AND FOR ALL!

Posted by Len Prygoda on November 17th, 2009 at 6:56 PM

Sir: I am presently taking Vytorin. My cholesterol numbers have improved. Should I continue with this med and?or talk to my DR? Thank you, Len Prygoda, Berlin, CT 06037

Posted by Elizabeth Trudel on November 17th, 2009 at 8:54 PM

Is this the same as Zocor? I took Zocor for 2 weeks, and now have ruptured muscles in my arm (L) and L thighs…..
Is there any recalls on Zocor

Posted by Thayer Jordan on November 17th, 2009 at 9:22 PM

Outragious!

Posted by dan tappan on November 17th, 2009 at 9:44 PM

i took the medicine for 3 yrs with no apparent side effects.

Posted by Len on November 17th, 2009 at 11:00 PM

The statement that Vytorin is no more effective (presumably in lowering Cholesterol and LDL) than Zocor, is nebulous to me. My experience has been that Vytorin is more effective at coming to desired endpoints than the same amount of Zocor taken separately. If the comparison is for example Vytorin 10/20 vs Zocor 40 I would point out that not everyone can take such high levels of Zocor due to side effects of muscle discomfort. In addition I have seen good results with Lipitor + Zetia when patients could not increase their lipitor due to side effects, but still required further cholesterol or LDL lowering. The statement is also nebulous because it implies that Vytorin was compared to Zocor, but I wonder if it is being compared to generic simvastatin?, now here there is a possibility for discrepancy- how well has generic simvastatin been compared to Zocor? I recall a reported incidence of zetia being associated with higher cancer risk, and hopefully that has been put to rest.

Posted by janice on November 18th, 2009 at 1:25 AM

have for 9 years make sick

Posted by Nina Giovannucci on November 18th, 2009 at 1:25 PM

I would like the names of the attorney’s who are handling this lawsuit. I have been on this drug for five years and some. I will discontinue the intake of this drug until this investigation is fulfilled.

Posted by Carmen Farinelli on November 18th, 2009 at 3:30 PM

Big pharma needs to be investigated. Many should be put in jail for neglect in their FDA sponsored approvals of chemo drugs that do nor work, are killing Americans. Look into alternative cancer treatments, which are successful in other countries such as Germany and Mexico. And they are a lot cheaper too. WAKE UP CONGRESS!!!!!!!!

Posted by Cynthia R on November 18th, 2009 at 4:45 PM

I’ve been taking Vytorin for a few years now. I knew my muscles had began to ache more and more, but I would’ve never blamed this drug for that!
So, should I stop taking this drug? Are we, Vytorin takers, a part of this Class Action Suit?

Posted by jerry warriner on November 18th, 2009 at 10:49 PM

How many cholesterol-lowering drugs do we need anyway? Drug companies keep marketing new ones only so they can have a brand-name drug to rake in more dollars.

It’s a greed-driven industry. Just look at how many blood-pressure drugs there are. The drug industry keeps pumping them out despite the fact that there are already plenty of effective generics on the market.