Is Nexlizet classified as a statin?

No, Nexlizet is not a statin medicine, but it may be used with or without a statin, diet and exercise to help lower your cholesterol levels.

Nexlizet tablets contains two medicines, bempedoic acid and ezetimibe, but these drugs act in different ways to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Bempedoic acid lowers the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and ezetimibe lowers the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the intestines.

Does Nexlizet lower bad cholesterol?

Yes, Nexlizet is used along with diet, with or without other cholesterol-lowering medicines, to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol) in adults with high blood cholesterol levels called primary hyperlipidemia, including a type of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).

Nexlizet is an oral prescription medicine that contains 2 cholesterol-lowering medicines, bempedoic acid and ezetimibe.

Can Nexlizet protect your heart?

Yes, Nexlizet can help to protect your heart, which is called cardiovascular risk reduction.

• The bempedoic acid component of Nexlizet is used to lower the risk of heart attack and heart procedures like stent placement or bypass surgery, in adults who are unable to take recommended statin treatment (a cholesterol-lowering medicine), or are not taking a statin.
• For this use it is indicated in people who have known heart disease, OR are at high risk for heart disease but without known heart disease

What class of drug is Nexlizet?

Nexlizet (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) is a combination of two drugs with the brand names of Nexletol and Zetia. Nexlizet provides a dual mechanism of action to lower cholesterol.

• Nexletol (bempedoic acid) is classified as an oral adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor and blocks cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
• Zetia (ezetimibe) is classified as a cholesterol absorption inhibitor and helps to prevent cholesterol absorption from the intestines.

How well does Nexlizet work to lower cholesterol?

In 12-week long studies conducted by the manufacturer, 301 patients were evaluated who had known heart disease or an inherited condition that causes high levels of bad cholesterol.

Researchers found that Nexlizet lowered LDL cholesterol by an average of 38% when compared to placebo (sugar pill) treatment when added on to a maximum statin dose that patients were tolerating. This effect was found to be statistically significant, meaning it did not occur just by chance.

Nexlizet is normally taken as one tablet once every day, with or without food. Your doctor will check your blood cholesterol and LDL levels about 8 to 12 weeks after you start treatment.

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What side effects can occur with Nexlizet?

Common or serious side effects include:

• upper respiratory tract infection
• muscle spasms
• elevated uric acid levels (which can cause gout)
• back pain
• tendon problems, tendon rupture
• joint pain
• stomach pain
• bronchitis
• pain in your extremities like your arms or legs
• increased liver enzymes which may signal problems with the liver
• diarrhea

These effects were reported in at least 2% (2 or more out of every 100) of patients in studies.

If you experience tendon problems with Nexlizet, stop taking this drug right away and get immediate medical help. Signs or symptoms of a tendon problem might include:

• you hear or feel a snap or pop in a tendon area
• you have bruising right after an injury in a tendon area
• you are unable to move the affected area or put weight on the affected area.

These are not all the possible side effects of Nexlizet. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Bottom Line

• Nexlizet is not a statin medicine, but is used with or without a statin drug, diet and exercise to hekp lower your high cholesterol levels.
• Nexlizet contains two medicines, bempedoic acid and ezetimibe, but these drugs act in different ways to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
• Bempedoic acid lowers the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and ezetimibe lowers the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the intestines.

This is not all the information you need to know about Nexlizet for safe and effective use. Review the full Nexlizet information here, and discuss this and any questions you have with your doctor or other healthcare provider.