High cholesterol is a major health concern in the United States, with about 95 million Americans having high cholesterol levels. Statins are commonly prescribed for high cholesterol, but they can cause side effects such as muscle pain and liver damage.

Additionally, not everyone may be a suitable candidate for statin therapy.

If you have high cholesterol but cannot take statins, you may be interested in a pill called bempedoic acid. Bempedoic acid is a new medication that was approved by the FDA in 2020 for reducing LDL cholesterol levels.

What is bempedoic acid?

Bempedoic acid is a medication that works by blocking a molecule called ATP citrate lyase, which is involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By blocking this molecule, bempedoic acid can help lower LDL cholesterol levels.

The medication comes in the form of a pill that is taken once daily, with or without food. It is meant to be used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise, and may be used alongside other cholesterol-lowering medications like ezetimibe.

Who can benefit from bempedoic acid?

Bempedoic acid may be a suitable option for people who have high LDL cholesterol levels but cannot take or tolerate statins.

Some reasons why someone may not be able to take statins include muscle pain or weakness, liver disease, and interactions with other medications.

Bempedoic acid may also be an option for people who prefer not to take a daily medication.

While it is important to address high cholesterol levels, some people may not want to take statins daily due to concerns about side effects or the inconvenience of taking a pill every day.

How effective is bempedoic acid?

In clinical trials, bempedoic acid was shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels by about 18-28% compared to placebo. This is similar to the reduction in LDL cholesterol seen with statins.

Additionally, bempedoic acid was shown to reduce other markers of heart disease risk, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and certain types of lipids.

However, it is important to note that bempedoic acid has not been studied in long-term clinical trials, so more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and safety.

What are the side effects of bempedoic acid?

The most common side effects of bempedoic acid include upper respiratory tract infections, muscle pain, and anemia. Other potential side effects include gout, tendinitis, and increased liver enzymes.

If you experience any side effects while taking bempedoic acid, you should contact your healthcare provider right away.

It is important to note that bempedoic acid may interact with other medications, so you should tell your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking before starting bempedoic acid.

Conclusion

Bempedoic acid is a new medication that may be a suitable option for people with high cholesterol who cannot take or tolerate statins.

It works by blocking a molecule involved in cholesterol production, and has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in clinical trials. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and safety.

If you are interested in taking bempedoic acid for high cholesterol, you should speak with your healthcare provider to determine if it is a suitable option for you.