Bempedoic acid was given approval by the NHS last year after trials showed that it could offer high-cholesterol patients a new lifeline.
This drug has shown that it can offer a new effective way of lowering cholesterol to those that have been affected by the side effects of taking statins.
The trial results showed that taking bempedoic acid led to a 13 per cent lower rate of major cardiovascular events, including stroke.
This trial had 14,000 participants, all of which had a statin-intolerance, where statins cause them to have muscle pain and weakness.
Patients in the trial reported none of these side affects when taking bempedoic acid.
This data was presented at the American College of Cardiology conference.
Professor Kauzig Ray, leader of the UK base of this international study at Imperial Clinical Trials Unit in London, says: “This is big news, we knew bempedoic acid was safe and reduced cholesterol. Now we know it prevents heart attacks and strokes”.
Whilst statins remain the ‘gold standard’ for cholesterol-lowering, as it can reduce cholesterol levels by up to 50 per cent.
However, for those who are affected by the rare side effects of statins, bempedoic acid according to this international study, is the next best thing.
Professor Ra, says: “It is frustrating when patients cannot take statins.
“It means we may not be able to get cholesterol levels down enough.
“Adding bempedoic acid into the mix, with other cholesterol lowering drugs, we’ve halved some patients’ cholesterol readings, without side effects, which is great.
“Bempedoic acid is the fifth medication we now have that targets cholesterol. There is no magi to any of them, lowering LDL by whatever route prevents heart attacks, strokes and other disabling cardiac events.
“What matters is how early we catch patients, how low we get their levels and for how long. The earlier, lower and longer the better.”
Bempedoic acid is now available to be prescribed by GPs to their patients, meaning those feeling the side effects of statins won’t have to wait for a heart specialist appointment to use this cholesterol-lowering alternative.
