SUSPECT MEDICINE: Merck & Co. is suspending sales of the cholesterol drug Tredaptive after initial results from a study showed that it wasn't effective and could raise the risk of some serious side effects.

WHO'S AFFECTED: The tablets aren't approved in the United States, but they are sold in about 40 countries, including in Europe.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Merck says the side effects were not fatal and fell into several broad categories: blood and lymphatic, gastrointestinal, infections, metabolism, musculoskeletal, respiratory and skin.