Zetia Heart Attack and Liver Damage

Zetia, an anti-hyperlipidemic drug, is prescribed to treat high cholesterol. Since its FDA approval in 2002, serious Zetia side effects have been reported, including Zetia liver and Zetia heart attack problems. These Zetia problems have led to a number of Zetia lawsuits. Zetia is also used in conjunction with statins to lower cholesterol, but it has also been linked to statin side effects, and long-term use can result in statin cardiomyopathy.

Clinical studies have shown that Zetia ((known generically as ezetimibe) can effectively lower cholesterol, but the long-term side effects may prove that the risks outweigh the benefit. This anti-hyperlipidemic drug works by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine and it is sometimes used along with a statin drug when statins alone cannot lower cholesterol levels.

Merck and Schering-Plough have marketed both Zetia (which works in the digestive tract differently than a statin) and Vytorin—the latter is a combination of Zetia and a statin. Taken in combination with a statin, Zetia has been linked to a number of serious side effects, including myopathy (muscle pain); rhabdomyolysis ( a disease that destroys or degenerates skeletal muscle tissue); liver problems-- liver enzymes may become elevated, which can lead to irreversible liver failure—and statin cardiomyopathy. A 'Dear Doctor' letter was issued by Health Canada in 2005 warning that Zetia is associated with adverse side effects. No letter of warning was issued in the United States, nor did FDA require Merck and Shering-Plough to do so. Those side effects include:

• Hepatic Failure
• Hepatitis
• Liver Disease
• Liver Damage
• Liver Failure
• Acute Pancreatitis
• Thrombocytopenia

In December 2007 the New York Times reported that Merck and Schering-Plough had conducted a number of Zetia studies that indicated the possibility of Zetia causing liver damage when used long-term with other statins. The drug companies, however, chose not to publish the results of those Zetia studies.

Up to seven percent of statin users experience muscle problems, and if a higher dose is prescribed, or a statin is prescribed with Zetia, that statistic rises to more than 10 percent. Recent medical studies have shown that long-term use, and higher dosage use of Zetia combined with statins may result in statin Cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy is a serious weakening of the heart muscle, characterized by the heart' inability to pump blood and normally attributed to a reduced supply of oxygenated blood to the heart. It is a known adverse side effect of statin therapy and often goes unreported.

Researchers have recently found that statins, and statins combined with Zetia, activate atrogen-1, a gene signal in muscles. When this gene is activated, it drives the process of muscle destruction and degeneration, including the cardiac muscle in failing hearts.

Ironically, the drugs that are prescribed to lower cholesterol and prevent heart problems may indeed be the cause of heart failure.

Short term Zetia side effects include mild fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea and headache. Zetia can also cause allergic reactions, and it has been linked to gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder.

In August 2009 pharmaceutical manufacturers Merck and Schering-Plough (now merged into one company—Merck and Co.) agreed to settle a number of Vytorin and Zetia class action lawsuits that claimed the drugs are unsafe and ineffective. Merck and Schering-Plough have been charged with consumer fraud against both Zetia, and have faced over one hundred Vytorin-Zetia class action lawsuits.

A $41.5 million settlement of class action lawsuits related to claims against their shared Vytorin-Zetia drugs has been reached; the settlement resolved approximately 145 lawsuits pending in federal court in New Jersey filed by Vytorin and Zetia consumers and insurers that seek economic damages related to the purchase of the cholesterol drugs.

However, a Department of Justice investigation is still pending, and attorneys are currently evaluating Zetia claims.

Zetia Heart Attack Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered heart problems due to taking Zetia, please click the link below to send your complaint to a lawyer to evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Last updated on Apr-13-11