Benefits of Bempedoic Acid — Clearer Now

This editorial discusses the emerging role of bempedoic acid, a liver-specific ATP citrate lyase inhibitor as an LDL-lowering therapy for statin-intolerant patients. While statins remain the cornerstone of cardiovascular risk reduction, the CLEAR Outcomes trial (13,970 patients) demonstrated a 21% reduction in LDL cholesterol and a 13% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with bempedoic acid versus placebo over 3.4 years. Benefits extended across primary and secondary prevention cohorts. However, the drug did not reduce overall mortality and showed higher rates of gout, cholelithiasis, and hepatic lab abnormalities compared to placebo. The author cautions against viewing bempedoic acid as a statin substitute, emphasizing its appropriate use in select high-risk populations unable to tolerate statins.

This editorial discusses the emerging role of bempedoic acid, a liver-specific ATP citrate lyase inhibitor as an LDL-lowering therapy for statin-intolerant patients. While statins remain the cornerstone of cardiovascular risk reduction, the CLEAR Outcomes trial (13,970 patients) demonstrated a 21% reduction in LDL cholesterol and a 13% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with bempedoic acid versus placebo over 3.4 years. Benefits extended across primary and secondary prevention cohorts. However, the drug did not reduce overall mortality and showed higher rates of gout, cholelithiasis, and hepatic lab abnormalities compared to placebo. The author cautions against viewing bempedoic acid as a statin substitute, emphasizing its appropriate use in select high-risk populations unable to tolerate statins.