A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Vytorin Versus Standard Treatment of Other Statins in Moderate, Moderately High and High Risk Participants (MK-0653A-406)

A Multicenter, Open-label, 6 Week Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Algorithm Based Intensive Treatment With Vytorin Versus Standard Treatment of Other Statins in Moderate, Moderately High and High Risk Patients.

This study will evaluate and compare the effectiveness of MK-0653 (Vytorin) to current standard treatment with other statins for the treatment of dyslipidemia in moderate, moderately-high and high-risk participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥100 mg/dL
• Either treatment naïve (no previous treatment with lipid-lowering medication) or if previously treated with lipid-lowering medication, must complete a wash-out 6 weeks prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• LDL-C level ≥ 190 mg/dL
• Hypersensitivity or intolerance to Vytorin, ezetimibe or simvastatin
• Taking other lipid lowering agent except statins. (i.e. fenofibrate, niacin, ezetimibe, etc)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive within the projected duration of the study
• Currently participating in or has previously participated in a study within 30 days
• Congestive heart failure defined by New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV within previous 6 months
• Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias or recent significant electrocardiogram (ECG) changes
• Unstable angina pectoris
• Myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, or angioplasty within previous 3 months
• Unstable or severe peripheral artery disease within previous 3 months
• Uncontrolled hypertension (treated or untreated)
• Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus that is poorly controlled or recently diagnosed (within previous 3 months)
• Uncontrolled endocrine or metabolic disease known to influence serum lipids or lipoproteins
• Serious cerebrovascular disorder (ischemic stroke or cerebral hemorrhage) within the previous 6 months
• Received treatment with systemic corticosteroids, any cyclical hormones

within previous 8 weeks