Many people with high LDL cholesterol take statins every day to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, some patients still do not reach the recommended cholesterol levels despite already receiving treatment.
This is according to treatment guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA).
There are also cholesterol-lowering medications administered by injection, but they are not used as frequently as expected, according to Verywell Health.
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Good results
A new medication has been tested in two large clinical trials published in The New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA, involving more than 3,000 adults who were already taking statins.
The studies included both people at high risk of cardiovascular disease and patients with an inherited form of high cholesterol.
The findings showed that the medication reduced LDL cholesterol by 56 to 59 percent more than a placebo.
The most common side effects were headache, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.
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The big news
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lipfendra as the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for adults with high LDL cholesterol or inherited high cholesterol.
The tablet can be used on its own or together with statins.
According to Reuters, it could become a more convenient alternative to existing injectable treatments for patients whose LDL cholesterol remains too high despite other medical therapy.
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