FDA says some cholesterol, heart drugs don't mix

Updated Fri. Aug. 8 2008 3:12 PM ET The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government says patients taking some common medications for high cholesterol and irregular heart beats can suffer severe muscle damage because of a problem in the way the drugs interact. The Food and Drug Administration warned Friday that doctors should use extra care when prescribing Zocor, generic Zocor, or Vytorin to patients who are also taking amiodarone, a heart rhythm drug marketed as Cordarone or Pacerone. The agency said the danger is higher for patients taking more than 20 milligrams a day of the cholesterol drugs. The generic name for the cholesterol medications is simvastatin. Muscle injury is a risk with any of the cholesterol drugs known as statins, including Lipitor, particularly for the elderly. Although the risk of such injuries... [read full story]