Study: Zocor Not Beneficial for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients

Denver, COThe results of a recent randomized trial indicate that neither Zocor (simvastatin) nor aspirin were effective in treating the condition known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), reports MedPage Today.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">According to the news source, the trial indicated that neither medication improved patient performance in a standard six-minute walk test. Dr. Steven Kawut of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and colleagues explained at the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society that the study was halted early due to futility.

"The results of this study do not support the routine treatment of PAH with these medications," Kawut said. "Aspirin and simvastatin may be prescribed for usual clinical indications in patients with PAH, but should not be administered specifically to treat PAH."

Kawut added that previous animal studies had suggested that Zocor might be effective in treating the condition.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Zocor side effects can potentially include muscle pain, fever, lack of energy, sensitivity to light and difficulty breathing.