Vytorin and Zetia

Recent news reports have focused on the controversy that’s enveloping two drugs that are known as statins, or cholesterol drugs.  These medications are Vytorin and Zetia, which are two of the more prominent statins on the market today.  However, serious problems are being encountered by those who depend on them to control their cholesterol levels, and below is a brief outline of how you should proceed if you are among those who is now at risk because of the issues that surround these medications.

The Problems

There are two specific issues linked to Vytorin and Zetia.  The first is the side effects that have been linked to them, specifically an increased risk of serious liver damage and the development of rhabdomyolysis, a condition that tears away at the patient’s skeletal muscle structure.  Each of these conditions can be fatal.  The second problem is the allegations of false advertising that claimed that these medications were superior to other statins, and that this advertising campaign led people to use these drugs, even though they cost more than their competitors and were shown in studies to perform at the same level as other drugs.

Step One - Seek Medical Attention

If you are experiencing any sort of abdominal pain or feelings of prolonged flu-like symptoms, you could have liver problems.  If you are feeling symptoms of abnormal urine color (dark, red, or cola colored), weakness, aching or stiff muscles or tenderness, you also need to seek immediate medical attention.

Step Two - Seek Legal Help, Possible Class Action lawsuit.

If you are experiencing any of these problems, contact a defective drugs attorney.  You should also contact an attorney if you were influenced by the $180 million per year advertising campaign that claimed that Vytorin and Zetia were superior medications, as this could develop into a class action lawsuit. 

The reason for this potential lawsuit is because these medications were much more expensive than other statins, and people were led to spend this extra money for what studies have shown to be similar results.  The manufacturers have since pulled the advertisements from the airwaves in response to these reports and studies.  Contact an attorney today to begin the process of analyzing and, if advisable, enforcing your legal rights.