Nexletol vs. Nexlizet for High Cholesterol: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

(bempedoic acid)

(bempedoic acid / ezetimibe)

Prescription only

Nexletol (bempedoic acid) is used treat high cholesterol in adults. This includes people with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). It can also help lower the risk of serious problems, like heart attack and stroke, in adults at risk for heart disease who aren't taking statins. Nexletol (bempedoic acid) works as an ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor to lower cholesterol. The medication comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include high uric acid levels and muscle spasms.

High cholesterol in adults
Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in adults
Lowers the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, stroke, and the need for procedures to improve blood flow to the heart in adults at risk for heart disease who aren't taking a statin

Prescription only

Nexlizet is a brand-name combination medication that treats adults with high cholesterol, including those with a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia. For adults at risk for heart disease who aren't taking statins, Nexlizet can help lower the risk of heart attack and the need for a procedure to open blocked arteries to help blood flow to the heart (e.g., stent placement). Nexlizet contains bempedoic acid (an ATP-citrate lyase inhibitor) and ezetimibe (a cholesterol absorption inhibitor), which both lower cholesterol. Nexlizet is a tablet that's taken once per day, by itself or with other cholesterol medications. Side effects include high uric acid levels and anemia.

Treatment of high cholesterol
Treatment of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (genetic condition that causes high cholesterol)
Lower the risk of heart attack and the need for a heart procedure that opens blocked arteries to help blood flow to the heart (e.g., stent placement) in adults at risk for heart disease

Taken by mouth once per day
Can take by itself, with a statin, or with other cholesterol-lowering medications
Lowers LDL-C ("bad" cholesterol) by almost 40% after 3 months of taking Nexlizet (bempedoic acid / ezetimibe) with a statin
More convenient to take a single pill with two medications in it

Can raise uric acid levels, which can be a cause of gout
Not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding because it's not known how safe the medication is in these situations
Hasn't been studied in children
No lower-cost generic available; brand name only