Pharmaceutical giant Merck is withdrawing its heart drug Tredaptive from the market in 40 countries after a study showed that it didn’t work, and caused more serious side effects than placebos.
A report on NPR says the drug was meant to prevent heart disease and stroke by promoting good cholesterol. It combines the vitamin niacin and laropiprant, a chemical that reduces the unpleasant skin flushing caused by high doses of niacin.
Other Merck medications have generated concerns recently. Januvia, the company’s treatment ...
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