Bempedoic Acid
About Bempedoic Acid
Bempedoic Acid is a tablet used to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol, in the blood. It is prescribed for adults who need additional help lowering their cholesterol, particularly those with inherited high cholesterol or established heart disease. By lowering bad cholesterol, this medication helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.
You should take Bempedoic Acid consistently once every day, exactly as directed by your doctor. This oral tablet can be taken with or without food at any time of the day. To achieve the best results, it is important to continue with a heart-healthy diet and regular physical activity.
While taking Bempedoic Acid, some people may experience mild side effects like muscle spasms, back pain, or pain in the arms or legs. However, you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe joint pain or signs of a tendon injury, as these can be serious.
Do not take this if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as it may harm the unborn baby or infant. Before starting Bempedoic Acid, talk to your doctor if you have ever had gout, severe kidney problems, or liver damage.
This medicine can interact with certain other cholesterol-lowering drugs, specifically high doses of simvastatin or pravastatin, which can increase the risk of muscle injury. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe levels of alcohol, as both alcohol and this medicine can affect your liver. Elderly patients and those taking other prescription drugs should seek specific guidance to ensure safe use.
Uses of Bempedoic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Using Bempedoic Acid as prescribed helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, support heart health, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications. Here are the key benefits you can expect:
- Effectively lowers LDL cholesterol: Helps reduce high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, especially when diet, lifestyle changes, and statin therapy alone are not enough.
- Supports cardiovascular health: By lowering cholesterol production in the liver, it helps reduce the risk of future heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.
- Provides a convenient treatment option: Offers a once-daily oral tablet that can be used as an alternative or add-on treatment for people who cannot tolerate high doses of other cholesterol-lowering medicines due to muscle-related side effects.
Directions for Use
- Bempedoic Acid can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication for effective results.
- Swallow Bempedoic Acid as a whole with water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Bempedoic Acid
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Muscle spasms or muscle pain
- Pain in the back, arms, or legs
- Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
- Increased uric acid levels in the blood
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Severe, sudden pain, swelling, or warmth in any joint (signs of gout)
- Sudden pain, snapping, or popping sound in a tendon area (signs of a tendon rupture, especially in the shoulder, hand, or ankle)
- Severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Monitor your joints closely: This medicine can raise uric acid levels, which may cause gout. Report any sudden joint pain, swelling, or redness to your doctor immediately.
- Be alert for tendon issues: There is a small risk of tendon rupture or injury while taking this medicine. Avoid strenuous physical activity if you feel sudden pain in your tendons.
- Keep track of your blood work: Your doctor will likely schedule routine blood tests to check your liver function and uric acid levels. Make sure to attend all appointments.
- Check compatibility before starting new drugs: Always inform any healthcare provider that you are taking Bempedoic Acid before starting any new prescription or over-the-counter medication.
Drug Interactions
- Simvastatin and Pravastatin (cholesterol medications): Combining these with Bempedoic Acid can significantly increase the levels of these statins in your blood, raising the risk of muscle pain and weakness.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Bempedoic Acid. Please consult a doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeBempedoic Acid may harm the unborn baby. Do not take Bempedoic Acid if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or if you are trying to become pregnant. Consult the doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment with Bempedoic Acid.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is unknown if Bempedoic acid passes into breast milk. Do not take Bempedoic Acid if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedBempedoic Acid has little or no influence on your ability to drive.
Liver
consult your doctorIt is not known if Bempedoic Acid is safe and effective in people with liver disease. Please consult the doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
consult your doctorIt is not known if Bempedoic Acid is safe and effective in people with kidney disease, including end-stage kidney disease, who are on dialysis. Please consult the doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeBempedoic Acid is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a heart-healthy diet: Eat foods rich in soluble fibre, such as oats, beans, lentils, and fresh fruits, to help lower cholesterol absorption.
- Limit unhealthy fats: Reduce your intake of saturated fats and avoid trans fats found in fried and processed foods, as they can increase LDL ('bad') cholesterol levels.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, each week to support healthy cholesterol levels.
- Stay well hydrated: Drink enough water throughout the day to support your overall health. (Maintaining hydration is beneficial, although it is not specifically related to the cholesterol-lowering effects of Bempedoic Acid.)
Special Advise
- Before starting the treatment, you should confirm you are not pregnant. Also, use effective contraception, as advised by your doctor during treatment with Bempedoic Acid.
- Bempedoic Acid treatment may increase liver enzyme levels. Your doctor may suggest tests to check your liver functioning while on treatment with this medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High cholesterol: High cholesterol levels in the blood might build up on the walls of the arteries, leading to blockage of blood flow to the heart and other body parts, which could cause heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol is mainly of two types, namely, 'bad cholesterol' and 'good cholesterol'. Bad cholesterol comprises low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG), which deposit fat in the arteries, leading to their blockage. Good cholesterol consists of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which prevents the deposition of fats. Risk factors of high cholesterol are a high-fat diet, obesity, lack of physical exercise, and smoking.
FAQs
Bempedoic Acid is used to decrease bad cholesterol in patients with heart disease or familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally).
Bempedoic Acid works by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver. Thereby, it helps treat high cholesterol.
Do not discontinue Bempedoic Acid without consulting your doctor, as it could lead to a rise in cholesterol. To get effective results, continue taking Bempedoic Acid for as long as prescribed. Do not hesitate to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Bempedoic Acid.
Tendon problems may happen in people taking Bempedoic Acid. Consult the doctor if you experience pain, swelling, inflammation and tears of tendons, including Achilles (back of ankle), arm and shoulder. The risk of tendon problems may be increased if you are above 60 years of age, have renal problems, have had tendon problems or are taking antibiotics or corticosteroids.
Bempedoic Acid can sometimes affect the liver. While it's generally safe, some people may have slightly elevated liver enzymes. These usually go back to normal on their own. If you notice any signs of liver problems, like yellowing of the skin or dark urine, talk to your doctor right away.
Your doctor may not prescribe Bempedoic Acid if you have a history of tendon problems, severe liver problems, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. It can also interact with certain other medications. If you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor before starting Bempedoic Acid.
Take it with food or between meals or as advised by the doctor. Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water; do not chew or break it.
LDL cholesterol is often called 'bad cholesterol' because it can clog your arteries. This can make it harder for blood to reach your heart, increasing your risk of heart problems.
HDL cholesterol is often called 'good cholesterol' because it helps clear out bad cholesterol. Higher levels of HDL can be good for your heart health. But it's important to manage both good and bad cholesterol for a healthy heart.
The only way to know whether you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol checked. Your health professional can do a simple blood test. This is called a lipid profile.
A healthy level of total cholesterol is below 5mmol/L. HDL (good cholesterol) is above 1.0mmol/L for men or above 1.2mmol/L for women. non-HDL (bad cholesterol) is below 4mmol/L.
High cholesterol can increase your risk of heart problems. It can build up in your arteries and cause problems like heart attacks. If you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, see a doctor. They can check your cholesterol and recommend treatment.
Lifestyle changes can help Bempedoic Acid work better. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, limit alcohol, and manage stress. These changes can help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart problems.
While Bempedoic Acid is generally well-tolerated, some people may experience side effects such as muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, or digestive issues. If you experience any adverse effects, talk to your doctor.
Yes, Bempedoic Acid is generally safe for people with diabetes. However, it's important to monitor your blood sugar levels closely while taking this medication.
If you have mild to moderate kidney problems, you may still be able to take Bempedoic Acid. However, it's important to discuss this with your doctor, as your dosage may need to be adjusted.
No, Bempedoic Acid is not known to cause weight gain.
Yes, Bempedoic Acid can be taken with other cholesterol-lowering medications if prescribed by the doctor.
High cholesterol can be caused by many things, including age, family history, diet, lack of exercise, smoking, being overweight, and having conditions like diabetes or thyroid problems.
It depends on how risky you are of having heart problems. If you have a lot of things that can increase your risk, you might need to check it more often.
Yes, Bempedoic Acid is often prescribed for people who experience muscle pain or other side effects from statins. It works differently than statins to lower cholesterol. Talk to your doctor to see if this is the right option for you.
There are no specific food restrictions or major drug-food interactions associated with Bempedoic Acid. However, it is highly recommended to follow a cholesterol-lowering, low-fat diet to get the maximum benefit from your treatment. Talk to your doctor for personalised dietary advice.
While muscle spasms can occur, Bempedoic Acid does not typically cause the same high rate of muscle pain as statins because of how it is processed in the body. If you develop unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, talk to your doctor.
No, you should not take Bempedoic Acid if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it may harm your developing baby. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, stop taking it and talk to your doctor immediately.
Moderate alcohol consumption is generally acceptable, but excessive drinking can increase the risk of liver strain when combined with cholesterol medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe levels of alcohol intake for you.
This medicine can increase the levels of uric acid in your blood, which can sometimes lead to gout, a type of painful joint inflammation. If you have a history of gout or experience sudden joint pain, talk to your doctor.
Author Details
