Have you also had a slightly elevated cholesterol level and has the doctor prescribed medication? When taking the statin drugs that are usually prescribed, some people have a hard time taking the medication because it causes pain in the body, especially in the muscles. Some people stop taking the medication because of this discomfort. Has this happened to you too? If so, this article will be very important for you. Because, today we are talking about a new drug that provides good protection for the heart, which has been introduced to those who cannot take cholesterol medication due to such side effects.
What is this new drug and what does it do?
This new drug is called Bempedoic acid. It may be available under other names on the market. This drug is mainly prescribed for people who, as we mentioned earlier, experience side effects such as muscle pain when using statin drugs.
A recent large-scale study found that using this drug reduced the body's "bad cholesterol," or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, by about 21% within 6 months.
Simply put, this bad cholesterol called LDL is what gets deposited on the walls of our blood vessels, gradually clogging them up. Just like dirt gets stuck in a water pipe. This clogging of blood vessels is what paves the way for many dangerous diseases like heart attacks and strokes.
So this new drug not only lowers LDL levels, but it also reduces the risk of heart attack by 23% , and the overall risk of developing a serious condition such as a heart attack, stroke, or needing treatment for a blocked blood vessel by 13%, the study has confirmed.
So, is this medicine better than the statins we currently take?
This is the most important question. There is something we all need to understand clearly here.
The answer is, no . The best, most effective, and first-choice class of drugs currently available in the world for cholesterol control is the statin class.
So why is this a new drug? Think of it this way. Statins are like a 'superhero' that lowers cholesterol. This new drug, Bempedoic acid, is like that hero's 'smart assistant.' As long as the superhero is around, we can do the job ourselves. But sometimes there are people who can't handle the strength of that hero. At those times, it's much better to have the help of this smart assistant than to be without any protection. Got it?
That means, if your doctor has prescribed you a statin, and you are not experiencing any significant side effects, you should definitely continue taking that medication . Don't even think about stopping your statin just because you have this new medication.
The real value of this new drug is that it provides a safe alternative for those who are at risk of heart disease and who are unable to take any medication due to the side effects of statins.
Let's simply look at the findings of the research.
This is not just a small study. It is a very valuable study conducted over three years, using a large group of people, about 14,000, who could not take statins. Let's look at the main findings in a table like this.
| Result | Simple Description |
|---|---|
| Reduction in bad cholesterol (LDL) | Reduces bad cholesterol levels by 21% within 6 months. |
| Heart attack risk | Reduces the risk of having a heart attack by 23%. |
| Overall heart disease risk | Reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke by 13%. |
| Comparison with Statin | Statin drugs are about twice as effective at controlling cholesterol as Bempedoic acid. |
So who is this medicine really suitable for?
This medicine is not for everyone. It is especially suitable for the following people:
- For those who experience unbearable muscle pain or other discomfort when taking statin medications.
- For those who have been advised by their doctor to stop taking statins due to other severe side effects.
- For those who are at high risk of developing heart disease if their cholesterol is not controlled, but who cannot take statins under any circumstances.
- If you are already taking a statin, but need to further control your cholesterol levels, your doctor may decide to add it as a second medication .
The most important thing is, do not make any decisions on your own, whether to take this medication or stop taking statins. Be sure to discuss this with your treating doctor and make your decision only based on his or her advice.
I stopped taking statins before. Should I start again?
This is also a good question. Maybe you've had some problems with statins in the past and stopped taking them. But the expert opinion is that it's worth starting statins again, if possible, under medical advice, before moving on to alternatives like Bempedoic acid. Because, as we've said before, the safety and benefits of statins are much greater.
Your doctor may be able to switch you to a different type of statin or change the dosage. So, if you had problems with your previous statin, talk to your doctor about that too.
Take-Home Message
- The best and most important medicine for controlling cholesterol is still the statin group of drugs. They have a high level of safety.
- Bempedoic acid is a valuable alternative to statins, not a replacement.
- This new drug is mainly recommended for people who cannot tolerate the side effects of statins (especially muscle pain).
- Rather than taking the risk of not taking any medication at all, this drug provides significant heart protection for those who cannot take statins.
- Make any decisions regarding cholesterol medication, whether starting, stopping, or changing medications, with your doctor. Avoid making decisions alone.
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