Dosage Information for Nexlizet: Form, potency, usage details, and additional facts
Nexlizet, a combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe, is a revolutionary drug used to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia. This medication is particularly beneficial for those who require additional LDL-C lowering beyond statins or are statin-intolerant, as it helps to reduce cardiovascular risks such as heart attack and stroke.
Uses of Nexlizet
Nexlizet is primarily used to treat adults with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia to reduce LDL-C levels. It can also be an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients requiring further LDL-C reduction. Additionally, it serves as an alternative therapy in patients who cannot tolerate statins or require additional LDL-C lowering beyond statins and ezetimibe alone.
Mechanism of Action
The drug works through a dual mechanism. Bempedoic acid inhibits ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), an enzyme upstream of HMG-CoA reductase in the cholesterol synthesis pathway in the liver, decreasing cholesterol production and increasing LDL receptor expression to clear LDL-C from the blood. Ezetimibe, on the other hand, blocks the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein in the small intestine to reduce absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol.
Side Effects and Warnings
Like any medication, Nexlizet comes with potential side effects. These may include hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid levels), which can lead to gout, tendon rupture risk, and other adverse effects such as muscle spasms and anemia. Increased liver enzymes may also occur. Bempedoic acid does not affect cytochrome P450 2C9 enzymes and is not expected to interact with warfarin pharmacokinetics.
Additional Clinical Considerations
Nexlizet may be used for patients intolerant to ≥2 statin therapies or those whose LDL-C goals are unmet by other lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs). It can be combined with statins such as rosuvastatin for complementary LDL-C lowering effects. The medication should be used alongside lifestyle modifications, including diet and exercise, for optimal cardiovascular risk reduction.
Important Precautions
Do not take more Nexlizet than prescribed, as it can lead to harmful effects. If you have severe symptoms after overdose, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room. In case of overdose, call your doctor immediately or reach America's Poison Centers (800-222-1222 or online resource). If a bile acid sequestrant medication is being taken, Nexlizet should be taken at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after.
Administration and Monitoring
Your doctor will check your cholesterol levels about 8 to 12 weeks after starting Nexlizet to see how well the medication is working. If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist for an easy-open container or tools to help. Nexlizet is not available in a generic version.
Each Nexlizet tablet contains 180 mg of bempedoic acid and 10 mg of ezetimibe. If a pharmacy doesn't offer accessible labels, a doctor or pharmacist may recommend a pharmacy that does. Pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or smartphone-scannable text for accessibility.
Nexlizet may be taken with diet, exercise, and other cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins. It starts to work after the first dose, but its effectiveness is monitored through blood tests during treatment. Nexlizet is intended for long-term treatment and is typically taken once daily, with the maximum recommended dose being 1 tablet.
If you miss a dose of Nexlizet, take it as soon as remembered, but don't take double the dose to make up for it. Nexlizet and statin drugs like atorvastatin (Lipitor) are both oral tablets taken once daily, but the dosage in milligrams may differ.
In summary, Nexlizet offers a dual mechanism to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular events, particularly useful in patients who are statin intolerant or require additional LDL-C lowering therapy. Monitoring for tendon rupture and hyperuricemia is advisable during treatment.
- Deciders of health-and-wellness policies may want to consider the use of Nexlizet, a drug that helps lower LDL-C in adults with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia, as an alternative therapy for those who cannot tolerate statins or need additional LDL-C lowering beyond statins.
- In the realm of therapies-and-treatments for hypertension, Nexlizet, a combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe, could be beneficial for some patients due to its ability to reduce cardiovascular risks.
- For individuals focusing on nutrition and maintaining a balanced diet for fitness-and-exercise, it's essential to understand that while Nexlizet can help lower LDL-C, lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise play a crucial role in overall cardiovascular health.
- Medicare provisions should take into account that Nexlizet is primarily prescribed to reduce LDL-C levels in adults with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia, but its use may extend to patients with statin intolerance or those with unmet LDL-C goals despite other lipid-lowering therapies.
- As science advances, research on the effectiveness and side effects of drugs like Nexlizet will continue to help deciders make informed choices, ensuring the best possible health outcomes for patients.
