Bempedoic acid improves heart health in patients who can’t tolerate statins
High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Statins are drugs that are commonly prescribed to help lower cholesterol levels, but they are not suitable for everyone.
Bempedoic acid is a new type of medication that may offer an alternative for people who need to lower their cholesterol but can’t or won’t take statins.
A large study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that bempedoic acid can significantly lower levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in the blood. The study involved more than 2,200 participants who had high cholesterol levels and were either unable or unwilling to take statins.
The participants were randomly assigned to take either bempedoic acid or a placebo, in addition to their usual treatment for high cholesterol. After one year, the group taking bempedoic acid had an average LDL cholesterol level of 97 mg/dL, compared to an average of 119 mg/dL in the placebo group. This represents a 17% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels in the bempedoic acid group.
The study also found that bempedoic acid was generally well-tolerated by participants. The most common side effects were muscle pain and infections of the upper respiratory tract, but these were similar in both the bempedoic acid and placebo groups.
So, what is bempedoic acid, and how does it work?
Bempedoic acid is a new type of medication that works by blocking an enzyme called ATP citrate lyase. This enzyme plays a key role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By blocking this enzyme, bempedoic acid reduces the amount of cholesterol that is produced in the liver, which in turn reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
Bempedoic acid is taken as a tablet, usually once a day. It can be taken with or without food, and does not need to be taken at the same time every day.
One of the advantages of bempedoic acid is that it does not interact with other medications in the same way that statins do. Some medications, such as certain antibiotics and antifungal drugs, can interact with statins and increase the risk of side effects. Bempedoic acid does not have these same interactions, which makes it a potentially safer option for some people.
However, bempedoic acid is not suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for people who have liver problems, and it may not be suitable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People who are taking other medications should also talk to their doctor before starting bempedoic acid, as it may interact with certain drugs.
It’s also important to note that bempedoic acid is not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding smoking are all important steps in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
In conclusion, bempedoic acid is a new type of medication that may offer an alternative for people who need to lower their cholesterol but can’t or won’t take statins. It works by blocking an enzyme that plays a key role in the production of cholesterol in the liver, and has been shown to significantly lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
While it may not be suitable for everyone, bempedoic acid is generally well-tolerated and may be a safer option for some people who are unable or unwilling to take statins. As with any medication, it’s important to talk to your doctor about whether bempedoic acid is right for you.
