Comparative Efficacy of a Vytorin 10/80 Tablet Split Into 4 (Estimated Dose Ezetimibe 2.5 + Simvastatin 20) Versus Simvastatin 20 Milligrams on LDL Cholesterol
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of a Vytorin 10/80 tablet, an approved agent for the treatment of elevated LDL cholesterol which combines the cholesterol absorption inhibitor Ezetimibe 10 mg and simvastatin 80 mg, when split into 4 using a tablet splitter, versus a whole simvastatin 20 milligram tablet.
Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any, accepts healthy volunteers
Inclusion Criteria:
* Subjects with an LDL-cholesterol greater than 100 mg/dL
* Patients willing and able to provide signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients receiving a statin (Lipitor, Crestor, Lescol, Simvastatin, or Pravachol)
* Patients intolerant of statins
* Patients receiving ezetimibe
* Patients intolerant of ezetimibe
* Patients receiving a niacin preparation
* Stroke, TIA, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass surgery, or major surgery within 3 months
* Cancer undergoing active treatment
* Creatinine clearance < 50 ml/minute
* Active liver disease or persistent elevation of SGOT or SGPT > 2 times the upper limit of normal level
* Participation in any clinical study within the last 30 days
* Drug addition or alcohol abuse within the past 6 months
* Use of azole antifungal agents, amiodarone, fibrates or immunosuppressant drugs within the last 3 months
* Active use of macrolide antibiotics or verapamil
* Consumption of grapefruit juice on a daily basis
* Patients unwilling or unable to provide informed consent
* Patients with poor compliance
* Women of childbearing potential