Last Updated on March 7, 2023 by The Health Master
Statin a most common pill
Statins are the most common treatment for high cholesterol, but many people cannot take them due to side effects.
Fortunately, a recent study has found that a different type of cholesterol-lowering drug, Nexletol, can reduce the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues in people who cannot tolerate statins.
Nexletol as an Alternative to Statins:
Doctors often prescribe Nexletol, or bempedoic acid, in combination with statins to help high-risk patients lower their cholesterol.
However, this new study tested Nexletol without a statin combination and provides the first evidence that it can reduce cholesterol-related health problems.
Limitations of Statins:
Although statins are still considered the “cornerstone of cholesterol-lowering therapies,” according to Dr. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic, they may not be suitable for everyone.
Some people experience serious muscle pain from statins, and approximately 10% of people who qualify for the pills cannot or will not take them.
Therefore, Nexletol may provide a much-needed alternative.
Nexletol’s Mechanism of Action:
Nexletol works differently from statins, blocking cholesterol production in the liver without causing muscle side effects.
Study Findings:
In a five-year study of nearly 14,000 people who could not tolerate more than a very low dose of a statin, half received daily Nexletol and half a placebo.
The study found that Nexletol-treated patients had a 13% lower risk of major cardiac problems, including a 23% reduced risk of heart attacks and a 19% reduction in procedures to unclog arteries.
There was no difference in deaths between the two groups.
The data was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology.
The study was funded by Nexletol maker Esperion Therapeutics.
Caution in Considering Nexletol as an Alternative to Statins:
While Nexletol may offer a new option for those who cannot tolerate statins, it is important to note that statins remain the top choice for most patients due to their overwhelming evidence of vascular benefits.
As Dr. John H. Alexander of Duke University cautions, it is too early to consider Nexletol as an alternative to statins.
However, the study’s results are compelling and may encourage the use of Nexletol for patients who are unable or unwilling to take statins.
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