CNN’s article is very misleading to patients. The article makes it sound like patients don’t benefit from Vytorin. This is far from the truth. This study was performed on a very select group of patients with a rare genetic form of hypercholesterolemia. The study measured carotid artery thickening in these patients. The patients with this disorder treated with Vytorin did not do any better (but not any worse) than patients on statins alone. This was not an outcomes study. We don’t know if this corresponds to how patients do clinically (heart attacks, angina, death). Studies forthcoming will give us added data to determine if patients get a benefit from Vytorin over statins alone. Until this data comes out, news organizations such as CNN should stop sensationalizing this information. It only confuses our patients.

This whole issue is overblown. The test subjects suffer from large overproduction of cholesterol in the liver, far from typical usage. Using Vytorin or Zetia to adjust LDL to the same level as statins, SURPRISE, produces the same results (‘no added benefit’).

Statins work blocking cholesterol production in the liver. A common side effect is liver inflammation (liver damage) which is why liver function is monitored. Zetia works by blocking absorbtion of dietary cholesterol and bile acids (which the body usually rabsorbs at 98% efficiency) without liver inflammation. Given a choice it is better to block reabsorbtion in the digestive track than interfere with a major liver function.

I happen to be someone who could not use just statins to reduce my LDL due to inflammation. Using Zetia in combination iwth a much lower dose of a statin (essentially Vytorin) I can reach the desired level with normal liver function.

The study indicates “Vytorin dramatically lowered LDL, fats in the blood called triglycerides and a measure of artery inflammation — CRP.” Just like the Statins lower LDL or bad cholesterol so does the Vytorin. So, here is the real question, what does cholesterol have to do with heart problems? My guess is nothing! I suspect the researchers were unable to determine what key component of the Statin that affected the plaque buildup. Both reduce cholesterol and in both types of cholesterol the Vytorin approach reduced the LDL faster than the Statin approach so, where is the disconnect. If, you look at the numbers of people who now have become victims to ALS, Alshemer’s, and other brain diseases they have increased significantly since, we started lowering the levels of cholesterol in our blood. Something in the Statin products does the same things as other Arterial Plaque reducing medications. It is like Ozone as a measure of pollution because they cannot measure the pollutes. They were using cholesterol levels to do the same type of thing in humans only now we know they don’t tie. I want my cholesterol to keep my brain healthy! We need good science and drug types that do what they are intended to do without the harm and stress they put on our bodies. It is a wrong assumption to think we have to take drugs that are poisonous to us and cause all the terrible side effects.

After reading the actual results from the study in the New England Journal of Medicine, it is abundantly clear that Vytorin works very effectively at lowering LDL and Triglycerides, and raising HDL. The only disapointing study result was that artery thickness did not decrease as anticipated.I hope Vytorin taking patients, like myself, do not panic and stop taking it without consulting their physician. DO NOT STOP TAKING A STATIN DRUG WITHOUT A REPLACEMENT. Stopping cold turkey will cause increased risk of a negative cardiac event. Keep taking your Vytorin, but talk to your physician before getting a refill. The drug is SAFE!