Bempedoic acid is a novel non-statin lipid lowering drug that inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis in the same pathway as statins. It reduces the cholesterol synthesis in liver and helps clear the bad cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) from bloodstream. Thus protecting from cardiovascular events like heart attack, strokes, etc.RxBempedoic acid will be launched in India this year. It is available in the U.S. - 180 mg once a day dosage.AdvantagesIt lowers lipids in statin intolerant patients. It is administered as a prodrug and is converted to active drug only in the liver and not muscles. It is a cheaper alternative to PCSK9 inhibitors (a potent lipid lowering drug) which is in injectable form.Ezetimibe (another lipid lowering oral drug) causes 21 per cent LDL-C reduction when used as monotherapy while bempedoic acid, on other hand, reduced LDL-C by 30 per cent at 12 weeks at a dose of 180 mg daily. A combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe resulted in 48 per cent LDL-C reduction at 12 weeks.Side effects• Hyperuricemia and gout symptoms• Increased risk of tendon rupture involving the biceps tendon, rotator cuff, or Achilles tendon• Upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis• Back pain• abdominal pain or discomfort• pain in extremity• anaemia and elevated liver enzymes.Word of cautionBempedoic acid should not be taken by those who:• have a history of gout• are over 60 years of age• are taking corticosteroid or fluoroquinolone drugs• have renal failure• have previous tendon disorders.• have hypersensitivity to the active substance• are pregnant or breastfeeding
Bempedoic acid is a novel non-statin lipid lowering drug that inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis in the same pathway as statins. It reduces the cholesterol synthesis in liver and helps clear the bad cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) from bloodstream. Thus protecting from cardiovascular events like heart attack, strokes, etc.RxBempedoic acid will be launched in India this year. It is available in the U.S. - 180 mg once a day dosage.AdvantagesIt lowers lipids in statin intolerant patients. It is administered as a prodrug and is converted to active drug only in the liver and not muscles. It is a cheaper alternative to PCSK9 inhibitors (a potent lipid lowering drug) which is in injectable form.Ezetimibe (another lipid lowering oral drug) causes 21 per cent LDL-C reduction when used as monotherapy while bempedoic acid, on other hand, reduced LDL-C by 30 per cent at 12 weeks at a dose of 180 mg daily. A combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe resulted in 48 per cent LDL-C reduction at 12 weeks.Side effects• Hyperuricemia and gout symptoms• Increased risk of tendon rupture involving the biceps tendon, rotator cuff, or Achilles tendon• Upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis• Back pain• abdominal pain or discomfort• pain in extremity• anaemia and elevated liver enzymes.Word of cautionBempedoic acid should not be taken by those who:• have a history of gout• are over 60 years of age• are taking corticosteroid or fluoroquinolone drugs• have renal failure• have previous tendon disorders.• have hypersensitivity to the active substance• are pregnant or breastfeeding
