Medicine is a constantly evolving field.  Case in point:

Combo cholesterol drug no better than generic

Vytorin is a combination of Zetia (ezetimibe) and Zocor (simvastatin).  The "statins" like Zocor, Lipitor and others have been shown in large clinical trials to reduce cholesterol (which while important, is not as significant as...) and reduce morbidity and mortality (i.e. sickness and death).  We don't understand completely, but it appears that statin drugs help stabilize cardiac artery plaques that might rupture and cause myocardial infarctions (heart attacks).

So, there is no doubt that if you or your loved one needs a statin drug, I would recommend that they take it (as long as they tolerate it).

Zetia was used in a small study of about seven hundred patients with severe familial (genetic) hypercholesterolemia.  So, already, these folks are a little "outside the box" of normality.  Zetia didn't reduce mortality compared to Zocor alone.

From Medical News:
"The overall rate of cardiac events was nearly the same in both drug groups, and both drugs were generally well tolerated, they said. The differences in mean change in the intima-media thickness (IMT) between the Zocor (simvastatin) and Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin) group was 0.006 versus 0.011 mm. IMT is a measure of the thickness of artery walls, and changes in this measure shows how much plaque has built up.

They said patients should not stop taking the drug on the basis of these results, the situation is not urgent, and they should talk to their doctor about any concerns they have. More research is needed before firm conclusions can be made about the risks and benefits of statin alone versus statin plus ezetimibe, said the ACC."

What do you need to know?

A large, 20 000 patient trial is underway. 

Zetia/Vytorin doesn't seem to adversely affect patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.

If cost is an issue, change to a generic statin drug and take the highest tolerated dose to get your or your family/friend's levels to the lowest you can get.

General recommendations are that

Total Cholesterol - less than 200, if you have risk factors (diabetes, heart disease), below 170, if you can.
LDL (bad cholesterol) - less than 100, but less than 70 if you can.
HDL (good cholesterol) - over 40
Triglycerides - less than 150

Remember, you want your LDL (low) and your HDL (high).

Good health and good gaming.