Changes in prescription patterns before and after reporting of the Ezetimibe and Simvastatin in Hypercholesterolemia Enhances Atherosclerosis Regression trial (ENHANCE) results and expected effects on low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol reduction

Ezetimibe: Use, costs, and adverse events in Australia

“…The trends in the use and costs of ezetimibe are similar to those reported for the United States, Canada, and Europe. 7,13,17 In contrast to some other studies, 18,19 we did not see any obvious reduction in ezetimibe use after the ENHANCE trial was published in 2008. 8 That trial showed that ezetimibe plus simvastatin, compared to simvastatin alone, had no effect on intima-media thickness in atherosclerosis in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.…”

Therapeutic practice patterns related to statin potency and ezetimibe/simvastatin combination therapies in lowering LDL-C in patients with high-risk cardiovascular disease

“…The comparative potency level of a particular statin and its dose was estimated from the expected LDL-C responses that were based on the prescribing information and clinical trial data for the indicated therapies. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] The potency levels that were based on estimated LDL-C-lowering reductions were categorized as low (1 5 21%-26% and 2 5 25%-32%), medium (3 5 31%-38%, 4 5 37%-45%, and 5 5 48%-52%), and high (6 5 54%-55% and 7 5 60%). Non-switchers/non-titrators were defined as those patients who remained on their initial statin therapy at the initial or lower dose.…”

Ezetimibe Plus Moderate-dose Simvastatin After Acute Coronary Syndrome: What Are We IMPROVEing On?

“…Nonetheless, the ENHANCE results and subsequent debate among experts following its publication led to a marked decline in prescriptions for both Vytorin (simvastatin and ezetimibe in combination; Merck & Co., Kenilworth, NJ) and ezetimibe (Zetia; Merck & Co.) by approximately one-half. 9,10 IMPROVE-IT started nearly a decade ago with its intention to establish the clinical benefit and safety of Vytorin vs simvastatin monotherapy in high-risk subjects presenting with acute coronary syndrome. 7 It was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized control trial among 18,144 high-risk patients within 10 days of acute coronary syndrome.…”