A once-a-day pill that lowers blood cholesterol levels below those reached with widely used statins has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the pharmaceutical company Merck announced on Thursday.
How it Works
The drug, called Lipfendra, reduced levels of LDL or low-density lipoproteins, the dangerous cholesterol that can lead to plaque build up in your arteries, by up to 60% in clinical trials, according to Merck.
Most adults should keep their LDL level to below 100 but updated guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association urge people with a higher risk of heart attack or strokes to reduce theirs to below 70 or lower.
Lipfendra is intended to be paired with a healthy diet and exercise by adults with high levels of cholesterol. It works by inhibiting PCSK9, a protein that impedes your liver’s ability to get rid of LDL cholesterol.
Availability and Cost
Lipfendra is the first version of a PCSK9 inhibitor available as a pill rather than as an injection. The list price will be $10.50 a day for a 30-day supply.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
