Bempedoic Acid
Statin alternative for statin-intolerant patients. Same pathway, one step upstream.
Approved Verified 27 August 2026
What it does
Hits the cholesterol-synthesis pathway one step upstream of statins. A narrow but real role: patients who can't tolerate statins, or who need an additional layer when stacked therapy still falls short.
Inhibits ATP-citrate lyase, upstream of HMG-CoA reductase. It is activated specifically in the liver, which avoids the muscle metabolism behind statin myalgia.
What the evidence shows
Overall evidence strength: Moderate certainty
Who it's for, who should skip
Statin-intolerant patients, or an adjunct when stacked lipid therapy still misses ApoB target. The ApoB effect is meaningful but smaller than high-intensity statin therapy.
Running it
- Form
- oral
- Dose
- 180 mg · daily
Measuring it
Retest ApoB — 4–12 weeks after starting or changing the dose, then every 6–12 months — ApoB follows the lipid-panel schedule..
- LDL-C
- LDL-C
- ApoB
- ApoB
Safety
- hyperuricemia and gout flares
- tendon rupture
Stacking & alternatives
Access & cost
Prescription or clinician order — typically via cardiology or primary care.
Last reviewed 27 August 2026. Regulatory status verified 27 August 2026.