It is estimated by the American Heart Association that nearly 1 in 5 Americans are candidates for increased chance of heart disease, liver failure, and other serious health complications due to high cholesterol levels. While this is one of the most dangerous and prevalent health concerns facing the US, it is also one that is moderately easy to manage. As Americans become more informed of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they are increasingly exposed to advertisements touting the successes of the prescription drug industry in remedying this problem. Indeed, there are several anti-hyperlipidemic (raised or abnormal levels of lipids (fatty molecules) due to the influence of cholesterol) medications available on the market. In fact, almost 30 million prescriptions are written each year for cholesterol lowering drugs, accounting for $20 billion in annual sales for the pharmaceutical industry.
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. Enzymes, which are inhibited by statins lowering cholesterol, stimulate bad cholesterol, also known as LDL, in the liver and thus create an increase of LDL clearance from the blood stream. Results are almost immediate; the first results can be seen after one week of use and the maximum effect of the drug can be seen after four to six weeks of therapy. 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. Zetia is marketed as an alternative to statin therapy. 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. The release of the results came just weeks after the announcement of a congressional investigation into the drug companies' actions surrounding the study, which ended nearly two years ago. 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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