Vytorin is one tablet that combines two cholesterol-lowering drugs-simvastatin (Zocor), a statin made by Merck & Co., and ezetimibe (Zetia), made by Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals-to help lower bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) further. Simvastatin works in the liver to prevent the formation of cholesterol (as do all statin medications), while ezetimibe works by preventing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine.
Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals today announced the regulatory approval of INEGYTM (ezetimibe/simvastatin) in Germany for the treatment of elevated cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). INEGY is the first product to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C or ‘bad’ cholesterol), along with diet and exercise, through dual inhibition by inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver and absorption in the intestine. The approval of INEGY in Germany represents the first approval in Europe for ezetimibe/simvastatin tablets and the first step in seeking marketing approval throughout the European Union (EU) under the EU’s mutual recognition procedure.