Bempedoic Acid Pharmacology Podcast

Bempedoic acid, also known as Nexletol, is a once-daily medication used in lipid management. I discuss its pharmacology, side effects, and much more on this podcast episode.

Bempedoic is a once-daily medication that doesn’t need to be titrated. Standard dosing is 180mg once daily which can be taken with or without food. 

What are the most common side effects of bempedoic acid? One of the most notable adverse effects is hyperuricemia. This is usually seen within the first 4 weeks of being on the medication but could happen throughout the treatment.

Tendon problems can happen as well, especially in patients who are greater than 60 years old, on fluoroquinolones, have renal failure, or are taking corticosteroids.

If Bempedoic acid is taken along with Simvastatin, it is recommended to avoid doses greater than 20mg. This is partly because Bempedoic Acid 180mg along with 40mg of Simvastatin was found to increase Simvastatin AUC by 2-fold. The mechanism of this interaction has yet to be reported. Pravastatin doses greater than 40mg are to be avoided as well due to an increased risk of myopathy. Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin didn’t have any maximum dose considerations.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources!

Flippin’ Pharmacology Flash Cards

Pharmacology Crossword Puzzle Book (Over 2,000 Clues/Questions!)

NAPLEX Study Materials

BCPS Study Materials

BCACP Study Materials

BCGP Study Materials

BCMTMS Study Materials

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Ezetimibe Pharmacology

Ezetimibe Pharmacology

On this episode, I discuss ezetimibe pharmacology. Ezetimibe works by inhibiting Niemann-Pick C1-Like1 (NPC1L1) transporter. This transporter aids in cholesterol absorption so by blocking it, we can reduce cholesterol levels (and LDL) in the bloodstream.

Ezetimibe is usually very well tolerated. Diarrhea, myopathy, and elevations in LFT’s are adverse effects that have been reported but do not occur at high rates.

Ezetimibe is dosed at 10 mg once daily. This is a nice advantage because this is a starting dose and the usual treatment dose.

With the most recent cholesterol guideline updates, I do expect ezetimibe to be utilized a little more than it used to be. They place more emphasis on a target LDL and getting patients to goal.

Statins are going to be used first line for cholesterol and ezetimibe will be an add on therapy to consider. They don’t, unfortunately, lower cholesterol as much as high-intensity statins do.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!