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A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Extended-Release Niacin + Laropiprant + Simvastatin in Participants With Primary Hypercholesterolemia or Mixed Dyslipidemia (MK-0524B-118)

A Phase III Multicenter, Double-Blind, Crossover Design Study to Evaluate Lipid-Altering Efficacy and Safety of Extended-Release Niacin/Laropiprant/Simvastatin Combination Tablet in Patients With Primary Hypercholesterolemia or Mixed Dyslipidemia

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01294683
Enrollment
977
Registered
2011-02-11
Start date
2011-02-04
Completion date
2012-01-17
Last updated
2018-08-16

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dyslipidemia, Primary Hypercholesterolemia

Keywords

Low-density lipoprotein, LDL, High-density lipoprotein, HDL, Niacin, Lipid modifying therapy, Cholesterol, High cholesterol, Triglycerides, Mixed Dyslipidemia

Brief summary

This study is being done to find out if tablets containing extended release (ER) niacin, laropiprant, and simvastatin (ERN/LRPT/SIM) are as effective as tablets containing ER niacin and laropiprant taken with simvastatin tablets (ERN/LRPT + SIM) for lowering high cholesterol and high lipid levels in the blood. The primary hypothesis is that ERN/LRPT/SIM 2 g/40 mg is equivalent to ERN/LRPT 2 g co-administered with simvastatin 40 mg in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

Interventions

DRUGSimvastatin
DRUGExtended Release (ER) niacin/laropiprant/simvastatin (N/LRPT/SIM)
DRUGExtended Release (ER) niacin/laropiprant (N/LRPT)
DRUGPlacebo

Sponsors

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Participant has a history of primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia and meets LDL-C and triglyceride criteria. * Visit 2: * Participant is high risk coronary heart disease (CHD) or CHD risk-equivalent.

Exclusion criteria

* Participant is pregnant or breast-feeding, or expecting to conceive during the study. * Participant has a history of malignancy. * Participant consumes more than 3 alcoholic drinks per day (14 per week). * Participant is high risk CHD patient on statin therapy or any patient on statin therapy equivalent to 80 mg simvastatin. * Participant with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus that is poorly controlled, or on statin therapy. * Participant currently engages in vigorous exercise or is on an aggressive diet regimen. * Participant uncontrolled endocrine or metabolic disease, uncontrolled gout, kidney or hepatic disease, heart failure, recent peptic ulcer disease, hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to niacin or simvastatin, recent heart attack, stroke or heart surgery. * Participant is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. * Participant has taken niacin \>50 mg/day, bile-acid sequestrants, hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, ezetimibe, Cholestin™ \[red yeast rice\] and other red yeast products within 6 weeks, or fibrates within 8 weeks of randomization visit (Visit 3). * Note: Fish oils, phytosterol margarines and other non-prescribed therapies are allowed provided participant has been on a stable dose for 6 weeks prior to Visit 2 and agrees to remain on this dose for the duration of the study. * Participant is currently receiving cyclical hormonal contraceptives or intermittent use of hormone replacement therapies (HRTs) (e.g., estradiol, medroxyprogesterone, progesterone). * Note: Participants who have been on a stable dose of non-cyclical HRT or hormonal contraceptive for greater than 6 weeks prior to Visit 1 are eligible if they agree to remain on the same regimen for the duration of the study. * Participant is taking prohibited medications such as systemic corticosteroids, itraconazole or ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, or telithromycin, nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors, verapamil, amiodarone, cyclosporine, danazol, diltiazem or fusidic acid. * Participant consumes \>1 quart of grapefruit juice/day.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline in Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C)Baseline (Week 4 for Period II; Week 12 for Period III) and after 8 weeks of treatment (Week 12 for Period II and Week 20 for Period III)Blood samples were taken at baseline (Week 4 for Period II; Week 12 for Period III) and after 8 weeks of treatment (Week 12 for Period II and Week 20 for Period III) to determine the LDL-C levels. The change from baseline after 8 weeks of treatment was recorded. Results from recent studies indicated that the combination tablet formulations used in the study did not meet the pre-specified pharmacokinetic bounds used to establish the equivalence of the combination tablet (MK-0524B; ERN/LRPT/SIM) to the coadministration of MK-0524A (ERN/LRPT) and SIM. Therefore, efficacy data were not analyzed, as the study was stopped early. Only safety data were evaluated.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With Consecutive Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and/or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) of >=3 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN)Up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)Participants had AST and ALT levels assessed during Period I (4 weeks ) and throughout each 8 week treatment period (20 weeks total). Participants who had an assessment of either AST or ALT that was 3 x ULN or greater were recorded. The AST UNLs for males and females were 43 U/L and 36 U/L, respectively. The ALT UNLs for males and females were 40 U/L and 33 U/L, respectively.
Percentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=5 x ULNup 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)Participants had AST and ALT levels assessed during Period I (4 weeks ) throughout each 8 week treatment period (20 weeks total). Participants who had an assessment of either AST or ALT that was 5 x ULN or greater were recorded. The AST UNLs for males and females were 43 U/L and 36 U/L, respectively. The ALT UNLs for males and females were 40 U/L and 33 U/L, respectively.
Percentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=10 x ULNup 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)Participants had AST and ALT levels assessed during Period I (4 weeks ) throughout each 8 week treatment period (20 weeks total). Participants who had an assessment of either AST or ALT that was 10 x ULN or greater were recorded. The AST UNLs for males and females were 43 U/L and 36 U/L, respectively. The ALT UNLs for males and females were 40 U/L and 33 U/L, respectively.
Percentage of Participants With Creatine Kinase (CK) >=10 x ULNup 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)Participants had CK levels assessed throughout the treatment periods. Participants who had any CK level that was \>=10 x ULN were recorded. The UNLs for males and females were 207 U/L and 169 U/L, respectively.
Percentage of Participants With CK >=10 x ULN With Muscle Symptoms - Drug Relatedup 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)Participants had CK levels assessed throughout the treatment periods. Participants who had any CK level that was \>=10 x ULN and had associated muscle symptoms present within +/- 7 days that were reported as at least possibly related to study drug were recorded. The UNLs for males and females were 207 U/L and 169 U/L, respectively.
Change From Baseline in High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)Baseline (Week 4 for Period II; Week 12 for Period III) and after 8 weeks of treatment during each period (Week 12 for Period II and Week 20 for Period III)Blood samples were taken at baseline (Week 4 for Period II; Week 12 for Period III) and after 8 weeks of treatment (Week 12 for Period II and Week 20 for Period III) to determine the HDL-C levels. The change from baseline after 8 weeks of treatment was recorded. Results from recent studies indicated that the combination tablet formulations used in the study did not meet the pre-specified pharmacokinetic bounds used to establish the equivalence of the combination tablet (MK-0524B; ERN/LRPT/SIM) to the coadministration of MK-0524A (ERN/LRPT) and SIM. Therefore, efficacy data were not analyzed, as the study was stopped early. Only safety data were evaluated.
Percentage of Participants With New Onset of Diabetesup 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)Participants who with newly diagnosed of diabetes were recorded. A participant was classified as having new onset diabetes if they experienced an AE related to a diagnosis of diabetes (based on a pre-defined set of Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities \[MedDRA\] terms), or if they started taking an anti-diabetic medication during the course of the study. The MedDRA terms were as follows: diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus insulin-dependent, diabetes mellitus non-insulin dependent, insulin-requiring type II diabetes mellitus, insulin resistant diabetes, diabetes with hyperosmolarity, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.
Percentage of Participants With a Confirmed Adjudicated Cardiovascular Eventup 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)Select serious adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality that occurred during the treatment phase of the study were adjudicated by an expert committee external to the sponsor. Those events confirmed by the committee a cardiovascular events were recorded.
Percentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 AEup 22 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 10 weeks in Period III)An AE was defined as any unfavorable and unintended change in the structure, function, or chemistry of the body temporally associated with the use of the product, whether or not considered related to the use of the product. Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in frequency and/or intensity) of a preexisting condition which was temporally associated with the use of the product, was also an AE.
Percentage of Participants Who Were Discontinued From the Study Due to an AEup 22 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 10 weeks in Period III)An AE was defined as any unfavorable and unintended change in the structure, function, or chemistry of the body temporally associated with the use of the product, whether or not considered related to the use of the product. Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in frequency and/or intensity) of a preexisting condition which was temporally associated with the use of the product, was also an AE. Participants who were discontinued from the study due to an AE were recorded.
Percentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 Hepatitis-related Adverse Event (AE)up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)An AE was defined as any unfavorable and unintended change in the structure, function, or chemistry of the body temporally associated with the use of the product, whether or not considered related to the use of the product. Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in frequency and/or intensity) of a preexisting condition which was temporally associated with the use of the product, was also an AE. Hepatitis-related AEs were identified by a collective review using the following pre-specified set of preferred terms: cholestasis, hepatic necrosis, hepatocellular damage, cytolytic hepatitis, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, jaundice, hepatic failure, hepatitis cholestatic, jaundice cholestatic, hepatitis fulminant, hyperbilirubinaemia, jaundice hepatocellular, ocular icterus, yellow skin, hepatic function abnormal, acute hepatic failure, subacute hepatic failure, hepatitis acute, hepatitis toxic, hepatotoxicity, and mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic injury.

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

Participants completed a 6-8 week washout then completed a 2-week placebo run-in prior to the start of active treatment.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Sequence 1: MK-0524B 2g/40g→MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mg
After a 2-week placebo run-in, participants received extended release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) 1 g/20 mg combination tablet (MK-0524B) once daily for 4 weeks, then ERN/LRPT/Simvastatin (SIM) 2 g/40 mg combination tablet once daily for 8 weeks. Participants then received ERN/LRPT 2 g (MK-0524A) co-administered with SIM 40 mg once daily for 8 weeks.
489
Sequence 2: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mg→ MK-0524B 2g/40g
After a 2-week placebo run-in, participants received ERN/LRPT 1 g (MK-0524A) co-administered with SIM 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks then received ERN/LRPT 2 g (MK-0524A) co-administered with SIM 40 mg once daily for 8 weeks. Participants then received ERN/LRPT/SIM 2 g/40 mg combination tablets (MK-0524B) once daily for 8 weeks.
488
Total977

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Post Crossover (Period III)Adverse Event66
Post Crossover (Period III)Lost to Follow-up13
Post Crossover (Period III)Study Terminated by Sponsor2321
Post Crossover (Period III)Withdrawal by Subject32
Precrossover (Periods I/II)Adverse Event4952
Precrossover (Periods I/II)Lost to Follow-up36
Precrossover (Periods I/II)Non-compliance with Study Drug11
Precrossover (Periods I/II)Physician Decision10
Precrossover (Periods I/II)Protocol Violation55
Precrossover (Periods I/II)Study Terminated by Sponsor187192
Precrossover (Periods I/II)Technical Problems01
Precrossover (Periods I/II)Withdrawal by Subject119

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSequence 1: MK-0524B 2g/40g→MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgSequence 2: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mg→ MK-0524B 2g/40gTotal
Age, Continuous55.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.2
57.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.2
56.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.3
Sex: Female, Male
Female
230 Participants258 Participants488 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
259 Participants230 Participants489 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
110 / 48698 / 4860 / 2300 / 220
serious
Total, serious adverse events
6 / 4869 / 4861 / 2305 / 220

Outcome results

Primary

Change From Baseline in Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C)

Blood samples were taken at baseline (Week 4 for Period II; Week 12 for Period III) and after 8 weeks of treatment (Week 12 for Period II and Week 20 for Period III) to determine the LDL-C levels. The change from baseline after 8 weeks of treatment was recorded. Results from recent studies indicated that the combination tablet formulations used in the study did not meet the pre-specified pharmacokinetic bounds used to establish the equivalence of the combination tablet (MK-0524B; ERN/LRPT/SIM) to the coadministration of MK-0524A (ERN/LRPT) and SIM. Therefore, efficacy data were not analyzed, as the study was stopped early. Only safety data were evaluated.

Time frame: Baseline (Week 4 for Period II; Week 12 for Period III) and after 8 weeks of treatment (Week 12 for Period II and Week 20 for Period III)

Population: Study was terminated by the Sponsor prior to completion. No planned efficacy summaries or analyses were completed.

Secondary

Change From Baseline in High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)

Blood samples were taken at baseline (Week 4 for Period II; Week 12 for Period III) and after 8 weeks of treatment (Week 12 for Period II and Week 20 for Period III) to determine the HDL-C levels. The change from baseline after 8 weeks of treatment was recorded. Results from recent studies indicated that the combination tablet formulations used in the study did not meet the pre-specified pharmacokinetic bounds used to establish the equivalence of the combination tablet (MK-0524B; ERN/LRPT/SIM) to the coadministration of MK-0524A (ERN/LRPT) and SIM. Therefore, efficacy data were not analyzed, as the study was stopped early. Only safety data were evaluated.

Time frame: Baseline (Week 4 for Period II; Week 12 for Period III) and after 8 weeks of treatment during each period (Week 12 for Period II and Week 20 for Period III)

Population: Study was terminated by the Sponsor prior to completion. No planned efficacy summaries or analyses were completed.

Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 AE

An AE was defined as any unfavorable and unintended change in the structure, function, or chemistry of the body temporally associated with the use of the product, whether or not considered related to the use of the product. Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in frequency and/or intensity) of a preexisting condition which was temporally associated with the use of the product, was also an AE.

Time frame: up 22 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 10 weeks in Period III)

Population: All participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug. Safety analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined (pre-crossover), where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III (post-crossover).

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 AE50.2 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 AE51.2 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 AE30.4 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 AE29.5 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: Periods I/II95% CI: [-7.301, 5.252]Miettinen and Nurminen
Comparison: Period III95% CI: [-7.599, 9.338]
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 Hepatitis-related Adverse Event (AE)

An AE was defined as any unfavorable and unintended change in the structure, function, or chemistry of the body temporally associated with the use of the product, whether or not considered related to the use of the product. Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in frequency and/or intensity) of a preexisting condition which was temporally associated with the use of the product, was also an AE. Hepatitis-related AEs were identified by a collective review using the following pre-specified set of preferred terms: cholestasis, hepatic necrosis, hepatocellular damage, cytolytic hepatitis, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, jaundice, hepatic failure, hepatitis cholestatic, jaundice cholestatic, hepatitis fulminant, hyperbilirubinaemia, jaundice hepatocellular, ocular icterus, yellow skin, hepatic function abnormal, acute hepatic failure, subacute hepatic failure, hepatitis acute, hepatitis toxic, hepatotoxicity, and mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic injury.

Time frame: up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)

Population: All participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug. Safety analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined (pre-crossover), where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III (post-crossover).

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 Hepatitis-related Adverse Event (AE)0.0 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 Hepatitis-related Adverse Event (AE)0.0 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 Hepatitis-related Adverse Event (AE)0.0 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least 1 Hepatitis-related Adverse Event (AE)0.0 Percentage of Participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Were Discontinued From the Study Due to an AE

An AE was defined as any unfavorable and unintended change in the structure, function, or chemistry of the body temporally associated with the use of the product, whether or not considered related to the use of the product. Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in frequency and/or intensity) of a preexisting condition which was temporally associated with the use of the product, was also an AE. Participants who were discontinued from the study due to an AE were recorded.

Time frame: up 22 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 10 weeks in Period III)

Population: All participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug. Safety analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined (pre-crossover), where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III (post-crossover).

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants Who Were Discontinued From the Study Due to an AE10.1 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants Who Were Discontinued From the Study Due to an AE10.5 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants Who Were Discontinued From the Study Due to an AE2.2 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants Who Were Discontinued From the Study Due to an AE2.7 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: Periods I/II95% CI: [-4.28, 3.45]
Comparison: Period III95% CI: [-3.916, 2.619]
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With a Confirmed Adjudicated Cardiovascular Event

Select serious adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality that occurred during the treatment phase of the study were adjudicated by an expert committee external to the sponsor. Those events confirmed by the committee a cardiovascular events were recorded.

Time frame: up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)

Population: All participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug. Safety analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined (pre-crossover), where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III (post-crossover).

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants With a Confirmed Adjudicated Cardiovascular Event0.2 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With a Confirmed Adjudicated Cardiovascular Event0.2 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With a Confirmed Adjudicated Cardiovascular Event0.0 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants With a Confirmed Adjudicated Cardiovascular Event0.0 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: Periods I/IIp-value: >0.99995% CI: [-0.967, 0.967]Miettinen and Nurminen
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With CK >=10 x ULN With Muscle Symptoms - Drug Related

Participants had CK levels assessed throughout the treatment periods. Participants who had any CK level that was \>=10 x ULN and had associated muscle symptoms present within +/- 7 days that were reported as at least possibly related to study drug were recorded. The UNLs for males and females were 207 U/L and 169 U/L, respectively.

Time frame: up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)

Population: All randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline measurement within 14 days of the last dose of study drug. Analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined, where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants With CK >=10 x ULN With Muscle Symptoms - Drug Related0.0 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With CK >=10 x ULN With Muscle Symptoms - Drug Related0.0 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With CK >=10 x ULN With Muscle Symptoms - Drug Related0.0 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants With CK >=10 x ULN With Muscle Symptoms - Drug Related0.0 Percentage of Participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Consecutive Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and/or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) of >=3 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN)

Participants had AST and ALT levels assessed during Period I (4 weeks ) and throughout each 8 week treatment period (20 weeks total). Participants who had an assessment of either AST or ALT that was 3 x ULN or greater were recorded. The AST UNLs for males and females were 43 U/L and 36 U/L, respectively. The ALT UNLs for males and females were 40 U/L and 33 U/L, respectively.

Time frame: Up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)

Population: All randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline measurement within 14 days of the last dose of study drug. Analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined, where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants With Consecutive Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and/or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) of >=3 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN)0.4 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With Consecutive Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and/or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) of >=3 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN)0.6 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With Consecutive Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and/or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) of >=3 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN)1.3 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants With Consecutive Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and/or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) of >=3 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN)0.0 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: Periods I/IIp-value: 0.65495% CI: [-1.434, 0.936]Miettinen and Nurminen
Comparison: Period IIIp-value: 0.0995% CI: [-0.427, 3.768]Miettinen and Nurminen
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Creatine Kinase (CK) >=10 x ULN

Participants had CK levels assessed throughout the treatment periods. Participants who had any CK level that was \>=10 x ULN were recorded. The UNLs for males and females were 207 U/L and 169 U/L, respectively.

Time frame: up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)

Population: All randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline measurement within 14 days of the last dose of study drug. Analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined, where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants With Creatine Kinase (CK) >=10 x ULN0.0 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With Creatine Kinase (CK) >=10 x ULN0.0 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With Creatine Kinase (CK) >=10 x ULN0.9 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants With Creatine Kinase (CK) >=10 x ULN0.0 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: Period IIIp-value: 0.16695% CI: [-0.858, 3.118]Miettinen and Nurminen
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=10 x ULN

Participants had AST and ALT levels assessed during Period I (4 weeks ) throughout each 8 week treatment period (20 weeks total). Participants who had an assessment of either AST or ALT that was 10 x ULN or greater were recorded. The AST UNLs for males and females were 43 U/L and 36 U/L, respectively. The ALT UNLs for males and females were 40 U/L and 33 U/L, respectively.

Time frame: up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)

Population: All randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline measurement within 14 days of the last dose of study drug. Analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined, where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=10 x ULN0.0 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=10 x ULN0.0 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=10 x ULN0.0 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=10 x ULN0.0 Percentage of Participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=5 x ULN

Participants had AST and ALT levels assessed during Period I (4 weeks ) throughout each 8 week treatment period (20 weeks total). Participants who had an assessment of either AST or ALT that was 5 x ULN or greater were recorded. The AST UNLs for males and females were 43 U/L and 36 U/L, respectively. The ALT UNLs for males and females were 40 U/L and 33 U/L, respectively.

Time frame: up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)

Population: All randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline measurement within 14 days of the last dose of study drug. Analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined, where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=5 x ULN0.2 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=5 x ULN0.4 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=5 x ULN0.9 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants With Elevations in ALT and/or AST of >=5 x ULN0.0 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: Periods I/IIp-value: 0.56395% CI: [-1.303, 0.779]Miettinen and Nurminen
Comparison: Period IIIp-value: 0.16695% CI: [-0.858, 3.118]Miettinen and Nurminen
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With New Onset of Diabetes

Participants who with newly diagnosed of diabetes were recorded. A participant was classified as having new onset diabetes if they experienced an AE related to a diagnosis of diabetes (based on a pre-defined set of Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities \[MedDRA\] terms), or if they started taking an anti-diabetic medication during the course of the study. The MedDRA terms were as follows: diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus insulin-dependent, diabetes mellitus non-insulin dependent, insulin-requiring type II diabetes mellitus, insulin resistant diabetes, diabetes with hyperosmolarity, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Time frame: up 20 weeks (12 weeks in Periods I/II and 8 weeks in Period III)

Population: All participants without diabetes at baseline and who received at least 1 dose of study drug. Safety analysis was based on the experiences accumulated during Periods I/II combined (pre-crossover), where the study followed a parallel design. A separate safety analysis was performed for Period III (post-crossover).

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
MK-0524B 2g/40mgPercentage of Participants With New Onset of Diabetes1.0 Percentage of Participants
MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With New Onset of Diabetes0.4 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 1: MK-0524A 2g + Simvastatin 40 mgPercentage of Participants With New Onset of Diabetes1.3 Percentage of Participants
Sequence 2: MK-0524B 2g/40gPercentage of Participants With New Onset of Diabetes0.9 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: Periods I/IIp-value: 0.25595% CI: [-0.575, 2.023]Miettinen and Nurminen
Comparison: Period IIIp-value: 0.6995% CI: [-2.091, 2.966]Miettinen and Nurminen

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026