Merck Heart Drug Tredaptive Raises Side Effects in Study

Merck & Co.’s cholesterol drug Tredaptive, pulled from the market earlier this year, increased side effects like bleeding and infections and didn’t help patients, according to results of a clinical trial.

The study of 25,673 patients found Tredaptive failed to reduce the risk of stroke, death, heart attack or the need for surgery in people with vascular diseases. The drug combines the vitamin niacin, which studies suggest can help raise levels of good cholesterol, with the experimental medicine laropiprant, added to reduce a face-flushing effect of the vitamin.