A few years back, Zetia came on the market and was going "help reduce cholesterol" for patients who were not at goal despite high doses of Statin therapy.  In a brilliant marketing move, the drug companies combined Zetia with Zocor to produce Vytorin, and they put lots and lots of commercials on TV.
Im all for combination drugs.  It's always better to take fewer pills but this one is turning out to be a bust.

I was a resident when Zetia came on the market and I remember a teacher who made the comment to me,"sure it lowers cholesterol... but will that actually translate into decreased heart disease?"  That always stuck with me and I was determined to avoid the drug until I saw real proof that it improved heart disease.  Well, now i'm very happy I was suspicious.

It turns out that Zetia not only did not improve heart disease, it may have actually made atherosclerosis worse.  Another unfortunate blow for Merck.

Cholesterol Drug Has No Benefit in Trial


And then of course... will we ever learn?  Doomed to repeat history?  only time will tell for new drugs.