Chances Of Fatal Adverse Effects Are Reduced by a Novel Cholesterol Drug
The first-choice medication for treating high cholesterol is a class of drugs known as statins, but there may be an alternative for the millions of individuals who cannot or will not take such medications due to the negative effects.
In a significant trial, researchers found that a different type of cholesterol-lowering medication called Nexletol decreased the incidence of heart attacks and a few other cardiovascular issues among those who can’t handle statins.
Doctors commonly prescribe bempedoic acid, also known as Nexletol, in combination with a statin to help high-risk patients lower their cholesterol. However, a new study found that Nexletol alone also reduces the risk of cholesterol-related health problems.
Statin drugs, like Lipitor and Crestor, are typically the primary option for lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol and preventing heart disease. They work by blocking the liver’s cholesterol production. However, some people experience serious muscle pain as a side effect of statins, which limits their options for cholesterol-lowering therapies.
Nexletol also blocks cholesterol production in the liver, but in a different way than statins and without the muscle side effect. The five-year study tracked nearly 14,000 people who could not tolerate more than a very low dose of a statin. Half received daily Nexletol, and half received a placebo.
The study found that Nexletol-treated patients had a 13% lower risk of major cardiac problems. Specifically, there was a 23% reduced risk of heart attack and a 19% reduction in procedures to unclog arteries. However, there was no difference in deaths, which researchers could not explain.
Although statins are still considered the top choice for most patients due to their overwhelming evidence of vascular benefits, Nexletol provides a viable option for patients who cannot or will not take statins. The results of the study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology.
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