Health
High cholesterol: FDA approves new pill
Key Points
A new pill for patients whose cholesterol remains high despite treatment has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Called Lipfendra, the daily pill can be taken alone or in conjunction with statins. When trialled in patients whose low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) remained high despite already receiving treatment, Lipfendra reduced LDL-C levels by as much as 59%.1Dhruv Kazi, a cardiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston and associate...
A new pill for patients whose cholesterol remains high despite treatment has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Called Lipfendra, the daily pill can be taken alone or in conjunction with statins.When trialled in patients whose low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) remained high despite already receiving treatment, Lipfendra reduced LDL-C levels by as much as 59%.1Dhruv Kazi, a cardiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, commented that the approval would make a critical difference to patients. “This is an important step forward for patients who need additional therapies for lowering lipids,” he said.High LDL-C levels are a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease—which the American Heart Association said caused 349 470 US deaths in 20232—as well as stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease.Although Lipfendra must be taken on an empty stomach, some...