Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (10 mg/40 mg) vs. the Doubling of Atorvastatin in High Risk Participants (MK-0653A-134 AM1)(COMPLETED)

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Study of Patients With Primary Hypercholesterolemia and High Cardiovascular Risk and Not Adequately Controlled With Atorvastatin: A Comparison of Switching to a Combination Tablet Ezetimibe/Simvastatin Versus Doubling the Baseline Dose of Atorvastatin

Participants currently taking atorvastatin 20 mg will be switched to either atorvastatin 40 mg or ezetimibe/simvastatin 10 mg/40 mg (10/40). After 6 weeks of treatment, the percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) will be assessed and compared between the two treatment groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants who are either statin naive or on approved lipid lowering therapy for 6 weeks prior to study initiation
• Participant meets Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III High Risk criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

• Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Participant consumes more than 14 alcoholic beverages per week
• Participant has been treated with an investigational drug within the last 30 days
• Participant has congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Type III or IV)
• Participant has had gastric bypass
• Participant is newly diagnosed with type 1 or 2 diabetes
• Participant is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive
• Participant has a history of drug or alcohol abuse within the last 5 years