Winolip

Indications

Bempedoic Acid is used in adults to lower LDL cholesterol (the so called bad cholesterol) in primary high cholesterol and mixed lipid disorders. It is used along with a low fat diet, either together with a statin when the statin alone is not enough, or on its own (or with Ezetimibe) in people who cannot take statins. It may also be used to reduce the risk of heart attack and heart procedures in people at high risk who cannot take statins.

How It Works

Bempedoic Acid is turned into its active form in the liver. There it blocks an enzyme called ATP citrate lyase, which is an early step in making cholesterol. With less cholesterol being made, the liver takes up more LDL cholesterol from the blood, so blood LDL levels fall. Because it is activated mainly in the liver and not in muscle, it is less likely to cause muscle pain than statins.

Dosage and Administration

The usual adult dose is 180 mg once a day by mouth, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole. Keep following the diet and exercise advice from your doctor. Your doctor will check your cholesterol after a few weeks to see how well it is working.

Interactions

• Simvastatin: the dose of Simvastatin should not be more than 20 mg a day when used with Bempedoic Acid, because of a higher risk of muscle problems.
• Pravastatin: the dose should not be more than 40 mg a day.
• It may slightly raise levels of some other medicines; tell your doctor about all medicines you take.

Contraindications

• Allergy to Bempedoic Acid or any ingredient.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Use with Simvastatin above 40 mg a day.

Side Effects

Common side effects include raised uric acid in the blood, which can lead to gout attacks in some people, pain in the arms or legs, muscle spasms, back pain, anaemia (low blood count) and mild changes in liver blood tests. It may also slightly raise creatinine. Tendon problems, including tendon rupture, have been reported rarely.

Get urgent medical help if you have sudden severe joint pain and swelling (possible gout), a sudden snapping or pain at the back of the ankle or in the shoulder (possible tendon rupture), yellowing of the skin or eyes, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Bempedoic Acid should not be used during pregnancy, as cholesterol is needed for the baby's development. Stop the medicine and tell your doctor if you become pregnant. It should not be used while breastfeeding.

Precautions and Warnings

• Tell your doctor if you have had gout or high uric acid.
• Tell your doctor about any history of tendon problems, or if you are over 60, take steroid medicines or Fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
• People with severe kidney or liver disease should be monitored carefully.

Overdose

No specific overdose effects are known. If too much is taken, contact a doctor or hospital for advice. Treatment is based on symptoms.

Therapeutic Class

Lipid lowering medicine; ATP citrate lyase inhibitor.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.