New Study Finds Bempedoic Acid Can Significantly Lower Cholesterol and Risk of Heart Attack Without Statin Side Effects

A new study presented Saturday at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology has found that bempedoic acid, an alternative medication to statins, can significantly lower cholesterol and the risk of heart attacks, as well as reducing the need for a procedure that unblocks clogged arteries.

Statins are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, used by more than 90% of adults who take a cholesterol-lowering medicine, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, many patients at risk for heart disease refuse to take them due to severe side effects, such as muscle pain or weakness.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that bempedoic acid may be an alternative for people who need to lower their cholesterol but can’t or won’t take statins.

“Statins are the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention, and they are recommended to a large number of people who either have or are at risk for cardiovascular disease,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Robert Giugliano. “But there is a significant proportion of patients who either cannot tolerate statins or are unable to reach their LDL cholesterol goals with statins.”

The study found that bempedoic acid was effective in reducing LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 18.9%, and that the drug was well-tolerated with no serious side effects.

The study concluded that bempedoic acid may be a viable alternative for patients who need to lower their cholesterol but cannot or will not take statins. Past research has shown that anywhere between 7% and 29% of patients who need to lower cholesterol do not tolerate statins.