Bempedoic acid

Bempedoic acid is a cholesterol-lowering medication. It works in much the same way as statins: it inhibits the production of cholesterol in the liver. This lowers the cholesterol in the blood, especially LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol).

According to the Heart Foundation, bempedoic acid is only prescribed if:

• statins and ezetimibe do not lower your cholesterol enough,
• and you are not eligible for a PCSK9 inhibitor.

It is a newer drug and is often seen as an additional option when standard medications are not sufficiently effective or are not well suited.