Vytorin Reequest Dr. Bogart

Hi Doug,
My question today is should Steve continue to take the Vytorin.  Merck & Schering-Plough finally released the trial studies and  findings showing Zetia, if I am interpreting the information correctly, is not the choice of drug for a patient that has genetics which cause abnormally high levels of blood cholesterol. Please see excerpt from Study Released January 14, 2008.  Also, of great concern, the note of fact that plaque build up in arteries was almost double.  

"The new ENHANCE trial -- which involved patients with a genetic condition that causes abnormally high levels of blood cholesterol -- found no such added benefit. According to a statement released by the two drug companies Monday, researchers found no statistically significant difference in heart attacks or stroke among trial participants who took Zetia plus Zocor, a widely used cholesterol-lower drug, versus those who got Zocor alone.

The study also noted that the speed at which arteries thickened with plaque almost doubled among those on the two-drug regimen compared to those taking Zocor alone."

Jeanne Gwin