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Nexletol
Used for High Cholesterol
Used for High Cholesterol
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.
What is Nexletol (bempedoic acid)?
What is Nexletol (bempedoic acid) used for?
- 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
How Nexletol (bempedoic acid) works
Nexletol (bempedoic acid) is an ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor. It works by blocking a protein in the liver called ACL that helps the body make "bad" cholesterol. "Bad" cholesterol is also called low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C.
By blocking ACL, the medication helps lower the amount of cholesterol in your body.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Nexletol |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | ACL inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Nexletol (bempedoic acid) essentials
Side effects of Nexletol (bempedoic acid)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- High uric acid levels (16%)
- Kidney problems (11%)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count; 5%)
- Higher liver enzyme levels (4%)
- Muscle spasms (4%)
Less Common Side Effects
Nexletol (bempedoic acid) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Tendon injury or rupture: pain, swelling, or inflammation near a joint; hear or feel a pop; have trouble moving or putting weight on the area
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The following Nexletol (bempedoic acid) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- High uric acid level—severe pain, redness, warmth, or swelling in joints, pain or trouble passing urine, pain in the lower back or sides
- Joint, muscle, or tendon pain, swelling, or stiffness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
- Stomach pain
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Pros and cons of Nexletol (bempedoic acid)
Pros
- Taken by mouth once per day
- An option for people who can't take statins
- Can take by itself or with other cholesterol medications
Cons
- Only available as a tablet that can't be crushed
- Can raise uric acid levels, which can be a cause of gout
- Not approved for children
Pharmacist tips for Nexletol (bempedoic acid)
- Take Nexletol (bempedoic acid) once daily with or without food. Try taking it around the same time each day. Adding it to your daily routine can help you remember to take your medication.
- Swallow the Nexletol (bempedoic acid) tablet whole. If you have trouble swallowing it, tell your prescriber. They can talk with you about other cholesterol medications that might be easier to take.
- To help lower cholesterol, it's best to take Nexletol (bempedoic acid) along with a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise. Talk to your care team about healthy meal plans and exercises that fits your needs.
- Try to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Nexletol (bempedoic acid). This medication might raise your liver enzyme levels, which can be a sign of liver damage. And alcohol can also harm the liver. And drinking a lot of alcohol can make your cholesterol go up. Talk to your prescriber about your drinking habits and how to safely take Nexletol (bempedoic acid).
- Tell your prescriber if you take a statin. Some statins can interact with Nexletol (bempedoic acid). In particular, it's not recommended to take more than 20 mg of simvastatin (Zocor) or 40 mg of pravastatin (Pravachol) each day while taking Nexletol (bempedoic acid). This can raise your risk of statin-related muscle pain. Call your care team right away if you get muscle pain while taking Nexletol (bempedoic acid) with a statin.
- It can take a few weeks for Nexletol (bempedoic acid) to lower cholesterol. Be sure to get your cholesterol checked with blood tests when your prescriber tells you to. This helps you and your prescriber see how well the medication is working for you.
Risks and warnings for Nexletol (bempedoic acid)
Nexletol (bempedoic acid) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
High uric acid levels
- Risk factors: History of gout
Nexletol (bempedoic acid) can raise the uric acid levels in your blood. This can start to happen within the first month and remain higher during treatment.
High uric acid levels can lead to gout. This can cause symptoms like pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness in your joints. If you notice these symptoms, tell your prescriber. They can check your uric acid levels with blood work. Depending on your lab results, your prescriber might recommend medications to help lower your uric acid levels.
Tendon rupture or injury
- Risk factors: Age older than 60 years | Kidney failure | History of tendon problems | Taking steroids or certain antibiotics (fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin)
Although rare, Nexletol (bempedoic acid) might raise the risk of injury or rupture in your tendons. In studies, this happened in fewer than 1% of people taking the medication. Tendon injuries happened in the shoulder, biceps, or Achilles heel. They've happened within the first weeks to months of treatment.
The risk of tendon injuries might be higher for people over 60, people with kidney failure, and people with past tendon problems. It also might be higher if you take steroids or antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
Watch for signs of a tendon rupture, such as joint pain, swelling, or inflammation. You might also hear or feel a pop, or have trouble moving or putting weight on the area. If this happens, rest at the first sign and contact your care team. Don't exercise or do anything that could make it worse until you see a healthcare professional. You might need to stop taking Nexletol (bempedoic acid).
Nexletol (bempedoic acid) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 180mg of Nexletol (bempedoic acid) is $10.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 98.05% off the average retail price of $513.64. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180mg | 30 tablets | $10.00 | $0.33 |
Typical dosage for Nexletol (bempedoic acid)
The typical dose is 180 mg by mouth once per day.
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How much does Nexletol (bempedoic acid) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Nexletol (brand)
$10.00
What are alternatives to Nexletol (bempedoic acid)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Nexletol (bempedoic acid). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Nexletol (bempedoic acid)
How Much Is Nexletol Without Insurance?
Nexletol can cost over $400 for 30 tablets if you don’t have insurance. See what can affect the price of Nexletol, how you can save with insurance, and more.
7 Nexletol Side Effects You Should Know About
Nexletol treats high cholesterol levels. Read on to learn the side effects of Nexletol, including common and rare side effects as well as how to manage them.
Nexletol vs. Statins for High Cholesterol: 6 Things to Consider
Nexletol and statins can help lower cholesterol levels, but they work in unique ways and have specific risks. Learn more about Nexletol versus statins with GoodRx.
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