Zetia Lawsuits
Zetia is a medication designed to lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol levels in patients at risk for coronary artery disease. It was approved by the FDA in 2002. Since its approval, the co-marketers of the drug, Merck and Schering-Plough, have touted it as an effective addition to the use of the “statin” drugs. Statins are medications such as Zocor and Lipitor that have proven to be effective in lowering LDL, which in turn should lower the likelihood of plaque developing in arteries, which is the cause of cardiovascular incidents such as heart attacks and strokes.
Merck has even packaged Zetia with Zocor and sold it as a single pill, market name Vytorin. However the results of a clinical study commissioned by the drug firms and completed in 2006 showed that while Zetia does make a contribution to LDL reduction, it makes no corresponding reduction in the growth of plaque in arteries. What has added to the cynicism in Zetia’s story is the fact that this report was completed in 2006 and the drug companies chose not to publish it.
There is also evidence that, like the statin drugs, Zetia can have an adverse impact on the liver or kidneys in some circumstances – thought to be relatively rare circumstances, at this point. In December of 2007, the New York Times ran a story on the study that had been withheld and the conclusion contained therein showing that Zetia’s impact on LDL had little value with regard to arthrosclerosis, the arterial blockage caused by plaque.
In January of 2008 the first class action consumer lawsuit was filed against Merck and Schering-Plough, asserting that the companies have known since 2006 that Zetia and its companion drug Vytorin are no more effective against the fatty arterial plaques than Zocor – which is now available in generic form.
This lawsuit does not address the issue of side effects, or the question of whether Zetia may amplify the possibility of side effects when combined with Zocor or another statin. It merely seeks the return of monies spent on what the lawsuit contends is a useless drug; there is no request for damages. The suit does claim, however, that the “suppressed” study indicates that Zetia may lead to increased instances of plaque development rather than reduction.
This lawsuit is probably the first of many to follow. As more evidence is developed, as patients come forward that are suffering from side effects or have had increased cardiovascular difficulty while using the medications, there will be further lawsuits.
If you or a loved one have suffered drug-Induced hepatitis, liver failure, acute pancreatitis, thrombocytopenia.after taking Zetia, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of Zetia. If you would like to have us help you determine whether you may have a claim, click here to fill out the free claim evaluation form.
Additional Zetia Lawsuit Information
