Pfizer trial suggests risks of switching from Lipitor

Pfizer has released details from a trial suggesting that patients who switched away from using Lipitor as a treatment to simvastatin saw a 30 per cent increase in the risk of a cardiovascular event.

According to the data from UK primary database records from October 1997 to June 2005, analysis of more than 11,500 patients revealed that heart attacks, stokes and certain types of heart surgeries were more likely as a result of the switch away from Lipitor.

“The results of this analysis complement the large body of evidence from multiple clinical trials demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of Lipitor,” said Dr Michael Berelowitz, senior vice president of Pfizer’s global medical division.

Involved in the study were 2,511 patients who had taken Lipitor for six months or more and were then switched to simvastatin, compared with 9,009 patients who were taking Lipitor for six months or more and then continued to do so rather than switching.

Pfizer said secondary data analysis revealed that those who had switched treatments were twice as likely to discontinue therapy.

The company was founded in 1849 and last year launched Chantix, a prescription medicine to help smokers quit.