A drug known as bempedoic acid (model title Nexletol) has been proven to be an efficient different for decreasing ldl cholesterol and decreasing coronary heart assault danger, in keeping with a serious examine revealed in The New England Journal of Medicine on Saturday.
Most ldl cholesterol medicines are statins, which work by “blocking a substance your physique must make ldl cholesterol,” per the Mayo Clinic.
Some examples of statins are atorvastatin (model title Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (model title Crestor).
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Although statins are efficient in decreasing ldl cholesterol, not everybody can tolerate them.
Some frequent unwanted side effects embody complications, nausea and muscle/joint ache.
A drug known as bempedoic acid — model title Nexletol — has been proven to be an efficient different for decreasing ldl cholesterol and decreasing coronary heart assault danger, in keeping with a examine in The New England Journal of Medicine. (iStock)
In uncommon instances, statins can set off a spike in blood sugar (which might result in sort 2 diabetes), reminiscence issues and injury to the liver, muscular tissues or kidneys.
Like statins, Nexletol additionally works by blocking the manufacturing of LDL (“dangerous” ldl cholesterol) within the liver — but it surely does so in a special methodology and with out the reported unwanted side effects, in keeping with report.
Those who took Nexletol confirmed a 13% decrease danger of main cardiac occasions and a 23% diminished danger of coronary heart assault.
Bempedoic acid has beforehand been prescribed as a companion drug to statins.
In the brand new examine, led by Dr. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic, researchers examined its use with no statin and located that it has the specified impact by itself.
Of the 13,970 sufferers throughout 32 nations who participated within the examine, half took Nexletol and half took a placebo.
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Those who took Nexletol confirmed a 13% decrease danger of main cardiac occasions (loss of life from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke or coronary revascularization).
Additionally, sufferers who took bempedoic acid confirmed a 23% decrease danger of coronary heart assault.
Although statins are efficient in decreasing ldl cholesterol, some frequent unwanted side effects embody complications, nausea and muscle/joint ache. (iStock)
The variety of deaths didn’t differ between the 2 teams; researchers stated the mortality distinction might require an extended interval of examine.
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The examine was introduced Saturday at a gathering of the American College of Cardiology and was funded by Nexletol maker Esperion Therapeutics.
Nexletol additionally works by blocking the manufacturing of LDL (“dangerous” ldl cholesterol) within the liver — however another way than statins.
Dr. John H. Alexander of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, who wasn’t concerned with the examine, wrote within the journal that the examine’s outcomes have been “compelling” — and that they “will and will” result in using Nexletol by sufferers who can not or select to not take statins.
“It is untimely, nevertheless, to think about bempedoic acid as a substitute for statins,” the physician continued.
“Given the overwhelming proof of the vascular advantages,” statins stay the first selection for many sufferers, he additionally stated.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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