Google+Linking To And Embedding Heartcare Sydney's "Bempedoic Acid | New cholesterol medication with less or no muscular pain (myalgia)! (2023)" - Tom Wade MD
Bempedoic acid is a novel medication used for managing high cholesterol. It is a prodrug, which becomes active after entering cells. Bempedoic acid blocks an enzyme called ATP citrate lyase in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. One of the significant advantages of bempedoic acid is its reduced likelihood of causing muscle pain (myalgia), unlike traditional statin medications. This is due to its unique mechanism of action. To become active and carry out its cholesterol-lowering effects, bempedoic acid requires an enzyme called ACSVL1. Interestingly, ACSVL1 is predominantly found in liver cells, while it is absent or present in very low levels in skeletal muscle cells. Because bempedoic acid remains inactive in muscle cells, it minimizes the risk of muscle-related side effects such as myalgia or muscle pain.
WARNING: Bempedoic acid is NOT a replacement for statins, as these medications remain the standard of cholesterol therapy. Bempedoic acid is an alternative for people who cannot tolerate statins despite multiple attempts and specialist reviews.
At this stage, STATINS remain the gold standard for cholesterol therapy, as they have a proven track record of effectively reducing LDL cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of cardiovascular events.
