Evaluating pharmacokinetics of bempedoic acid in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Bempedoic acid is a first-in-class low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering agent which offers an important opportunity for further LDL-C lowering in statin-intolerant patients or in patients requiring further LDL-C reduction despite maximally tolerated statin therapy.

Areas covered: In this review, we examined the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of bempedoic acid, based on randomized clinical phase III clinical studies and their meta-analyses.

Expert opinion: Unlike statins, bempedoic acid is administered as a prodrug and is converted to active form by a liver-specific enzyme. For the liver-specific mechanism of action, bempedoic acid has the potential to reduce the risk of muscle-related adverse events which can limit the utilization and effectiveness of statin therapy.

KEYWORDS:

• Bempedoic acid
• ECT-1002
• pharmacokinetics
• efficacy
• safety

Box 1. Drug Summary

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Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

A reviewer of this manuscript declares serving as advisor for Esperion. Peer reviewers have no other relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.