New cholesterol pill, Nexletol, lowers heart attack risk for patients who can’t take statins: study
A drug called bempedoic acid (brand name Nexletol) has been shown to be an effective alternative for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of a heart attack, according to a large study published Saturday in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Most cholesterol drugs are statins, which work by “blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Some examples of statins are atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (brand name Crestor).
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While statins are effective at lowering cholesterol, not everyone can tolerate them.
Some common side effects include headache, nausea, and muscle/joint pain.
A drug called bempedoic acid — brand name Nexletol — has been shown to be an effective alternative for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of a heart attack, according to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine. (iStock)
In rare cases, statins can cause a spike in blood sugar (which can lead to type 2 diabetes), memory problems, and damage to the liver, muscles, or kidneys.
Like statins, Nexletol also works by blocking the production of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) in the liver — but it does so in a different way and without the reported side effects, the report said.
Those taking Nexletol showed a 13% lower risk of major cardiac events and a 23% lower risk of heart attack.
Bempedoic acid has previously been prescribed as an accompanying drug to statins.
In the new study, led by Dr. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic, researchers tested its use without a statin and found that it has the desired effect on its own.
Of the 13,970 patients in 32 countries who participated in the study, half took Nexletol and the other half took a placebo.
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Those taking Nexletol showed a 13% lower risk of major cardiac events (death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or coronary revascularization).
In addition, patients taking bempedoic acid showed a 23% lower risk of heart attack.
While statins are effective at lowering cholesterol, some common side effects include headache, nausea, and muscle/joint pain. (iStock)
The number of deaths did not vary between the two groups; researchers said the mortality difference may require a longer study period.
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The study was presented Saturday at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology and was funded by Nexletol maker Esperion Therapeutics.
Nexletol also works by blocking the production of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) in the liver – but in a different way than statins.
Dr. John H. Alexander of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, who was not involved in the study, wrote in the journal that the study’s results were “convincing” — and that they “will and should” lead to the use of Nexletol by patients who cannot or do not want to take statins.
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“However, it is premature to consider bempedoic acid as an alternative to statins,” the doctor continued.
“Given the overwhelming evidence of its vascular benefits,” statins remain the primary choice for most patients, he also said.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
