MK0653C in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients With High Cholesterol (Switch Study)(MK-0653C-162)

Inclusion Criteria

• Patient is at high cardiovascular risk and meets one of the following conditions: has never taken lipid-lowering therapy or has been off such therapy for at least 6 weeks; or, is currently taking a stable dose of certain lipid-lowering agents
• Patient is willing to maintain a cholesterol lowering diet during the study
• Female patients receiving non-cyclical hormone therapy have maintained a stable dose and regimen for at least 8 weeks and are willing to continue the same regimen during the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Patient is Asian
• Patient routinely has more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day
• Female patient is pregnant or breastfeeding
• Patient has congestive heart failure
• Patient has had a myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, or acute coronary syndrome within 3 months of screening
• Patient has uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias
• Patient has had a partial ileal or gastric bypass or other significant intestinal malabsorption
• Patient has uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Patient has kidney disease
• Patient has any disease known to influence blood lipid levels
• Patient has any disorders of the blood, digestive system, or nervous system including stroke and degenerative disease that would limit study participation
• Patient has poorly controlled or newly diagnosed diabetes
• Patient is known to be HIV positive
• Patient has a history of cancer in the last 5 years, except certain skin and cervical cancers