Bempedoic acid

Bempedoic acid is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as cholesterol-lowering agents. Specifically, it is a pro-drug that gets converted into a bioactive form called esterified bempedoic acid. This medication is used to treat high cholesterol levels, also known as hyperlipidemia, in patients who have not achieved their cholesterol-lowering goals with diet and lifestyle modifications alone.
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. Bempedoic acid works by inhibiting an enzyme called ATP citrate lyase, which is involved in cholesterol synthesis. By reducing cholesterol production, this medication helps lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol, and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often called “good” cholesterol.
Bempedoic acid is typically prescribed as an adjunct therapy for patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), a genetic disorder characterized by very high LDL cholesterol levels. This medication is also used in combination with statin therapy for patients who are unable to reach their cholesterol targets with statins alone, either due to intolerance or limited efficacy.
Follow the prescribed dosage and schedule, and to report any adverse effects or changes in your condition to your healthcare provider. Some common side effects of bempedoic acid include upper respiratory tract infection, back pain, and muscle spasms. More severe side effects, although rare, may include kidney impairment and increased levels of a muscle enzyme called creatine kinase, which could indicate a condition called rhabdomyolysis.