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Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

With 3 studies out suggesting Zetia is worthless, we still have some cardiologist clutching to this drug for dear life. Wonder why?

Merck, Schering-Plough: Confessions of a Vytorin Patient

Just because something 'makes sense' doesn't mean it works. While Vytorin lowers LDL cholesterol, the study showed that it DOES NOT have an additive effect to lower heart attack and stroke. Actually, the Zetia patients had more carotid artery disease in spite of the lower cholesterol.

Generic Zocor (simvastatin) is 80-90 cents a pill, versus $3.22 for Vytorin.

One must ask: is it worth taking a pill that costs 3x's as much for no measurable beneficial effect? One analogy - do you put premium gas in a car that runs on regular?