Merck stops trial for potential blood thinner

January 13, 2011

(AP) -- Shares of Merck & Co. are falling after the drugmaker says it has halted one late-stage trial of a potential blood thinner and will immediately stop giving the drug in another study to patients who have had a stroke.

The Whitehouse Station, N.J., company is studying vorapaxar for the prevention of cardiac events. Patients with acute coronary syndrome will stop taking it in one study because it reached a pre-determined number of medical issues like cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks or strokes.

A second study will continue with about 75 percent of its , minus those who had a stroke either before or during the trial.

The company's shares are down $2.03, or 5.5 percent, to $35.12 in morning trading.

©2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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ironjustice
Jan 14, 2011

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Dr. Shute many years ago proposed vitamin E to be an effective inexpensive safe alternative to the commonly used warfarin. The drug to use seems to be tocopherol phosphate.
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