Cholesterol blocking an artery
The new drug drastically reduced LDL levels and the effect was maintained after a year.
A new published in The New England Journal of Medicine reports the promising effects of an experimental cholesterol-lowering pill.
The medicine, called enlicitidedramatically reduced levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, when added to standard statin therapy. Researchers say it works in a way that was previously only possible with injectable medicines, potentially offering a simpler option for millions of patients, says the .
Statins, such as Lipitor and Crestor, are the main treatment for high cholesterol as they block the liver’s ability to produce cholesterol. However, even at the highest doses, many patients, especially those with heart disease or other major risk factors, cannot reduce their LDL levels enough to meet recommended goals.
In the new study, more than 2,900 high-risk patients were randomly chosen to receive one daily enlicitide tablet or a placebo, in addition to your usual cholesterol treatment. After six months, patients who took enlicitida experienced reductions of up to 60% not LDL cholesterol.
“There are other medications that patients can add to their statins, but none compare to the degree of LDL cholesterol reduction we saw with enlicitida,” he said. Ann Marie Navarlead study author and cardiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
The cholesterol-lowering effect remained strong after a yeardecreasing only slightly. Researchers reported no significant safety differences between patients who took enlicitida and those who received placebo, although the medicine must be taken on an empty stomach.
Merck, which funded the study, is seeking U.S. approval for enlicitide and has enrolled it in an accelerated review program. Experts warn that although the cholesterol reductions are impressive, it is not yet proven whether the pill reduces heart attacks, strokes or deaths. A larger clinical outcomes study, involving more than 14,000 patients, is underway to answer this question.
