{"id":814507,"date":"2026-07-20T16:35:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/814507\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T16:35:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:35:12","slug":"newly-approved-pill-cuts-ldl-cholesterol-levels-by-more-than-half","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/814507\/","title":{"rendered":"Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n \"A \n <\/p>\n

A new pill that dramatically lowers harmful LDL cholesterol may be a good option for people who can\u2019t tolerate statins or who haven\u2019t lowered their LDL enough despite their current treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs.<\/p>\n

Approved by the FDA<\/a> in July 2026, enlicitide (Lipfendra) is the first oral version of a class of drugs known as PCSK9 inhibitors. These drugs work by mimicking the effect of a naturally occurring variant in the PCSK9 gene that leads to very low LDL levels. But the original drugs \u2014 which are given by injection once or twice a month \u2014 aren\u2019t widely used. Some people aren\u2019t comfortable giving themselves an injection. Also, most insurance companies won\u2019t cover the cost (which range from $200 to $500 or more per month) until a person has tried other therapies without success.<\/p>\n

Enlicitide is a daily pill that must be taken on an empty stomach with a sip of water, black coffee, or plain tea. It lowers LDL by nearly 60%, which is similar to the injectable PCSK9 drugs. Less than 10% of users experienced either dizziness or diarrhea, the two most common side effects. A month\u2019s supply will cost about $300; for now, insurance coverage remains unclear.<\/p>\n

The drug might be especially helpful for people whose LDL remains above recommended levels, despite taking cholesterol-lowering drug such as statins. The 2026 cholesterol guidelines<\/a> recommend that people who\u2019ve had a heart attack or stroke should aim for an LDL cholesterol of less than 55 milligrams per deciliter.<\/p>\n

The injectable PCSK9 drugs, alirocumab (Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha), have been shown to reduce the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and death from cardiovascular disease by up to 20% among people at high risk, over periods of up to at least five years. A similar study is currently underway to see if enlicitide offers the same benefit, with results expected in several years.<\/p>\n


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\n Image: \u00a9 zeljkosantrac\/Getty Images
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