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Understanding Anti-Cholesterol Drugs

Article Summary: 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 waistlines in America grows, so does the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol. With a nearly 30 million prescriptions written for anti-cholesterol medication each year, it's hard to ignore the extremely dangerous levels of which our country exists in.

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; 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.

From Schering-Plough, which is a chemical research company, as well as Merck, a drug manufacturing company, comes a new anti-cholesterol prescription drug. 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.

At the beginning of 2008, a report was released showing the adverse affects of Zetia, where growth of plaque occurred, was released by a national newspaper. 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.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Peter Kent
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