Merck, Schering-Plough's Vytorin Misses Study Goal

(Bloomberg) -- Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. said their combination cholesterol drug Vytorin did no better job of reducing the risk of stroke by clearing arteries of plaque buildup than did Zocor, an older generic medicine that forms part of Vytorin.

The study examined the carotid artery and found ``no statistically significant difference between treatment groups,'' the companies said in a release distributed today by Business Wire. If that artery is blocked, it can cut blood supply to the brain and cause a stroke. The 720-person trial, called Enhance, is looking at the highest possible dose of Vytorin for patients with a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol.

The drugs had similar safety profiles, the companies reported. The results were submitted to the American College of Cardiology for presentation to a meeting in March.

 

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