Vytorin No Better than Older Drug

Shannon Weidemann

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A study performed by Merck & Co. over two years ago showed that Vytorin, a cholesterol lowering and statin drug did not effectively reduce the amount of fatty deposits in arteries. Vytorin is a combination of Zetia, a cholesterol lowering drug, and Zocor, a statin. The study concluded that Zocor and Vytorin had the same affect on fatty deposits. There has been confusion over what that means for patients.

For Bufalino and colleagues, the advice is: Stay on the drug. "None of us are reacting by stopping the drug," he said.

He is not alone.

"There is a lot of distorted information out there," said Dr. Matthew Sorrentino, a preventive cardiologist University of Chicago Medical Center.

If you are taking Vytorin, speak with your doctor before you discontinue use. More studies are being done on the effectiveness of the drug to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

If you would like to learn more about prescription drugs, please visit InjuryBoard's Prescription Drug information page.