Cholesterol-lowering drug may increase cancer risk

A therapy that combines simvastatin with another drug called ezetimibe has been linked to slightly raised levels of cancer in an international study whose results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine this week. There was also concern raised in the study about the drugs effectiveness in delaying the progression of aortic valve disease.

Media round up

Radio New Zealand: Cholesterol lowering drug under scrutiny

The Telegraph: Cholesterol lowering drug ‘increases risk of cancer by 50 per cent

The Times: Patients advised to keep taking Inegy cholesterol therapy despite cancer link study

The Daily Express: Cholesterol pill linked to higher risk of cancer

The Daily Mirror: Specialist’s cancer fear over drug

Further information

NEJM Editorial: Ezetimibe and cancer – an uncertain association

NEJM Analysis of cancer data from three ezetimibe trials

US Food and Drug Administration statement

NHS comment: Behind the headlines, cholesterol lowering drug and cancer

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