Nexlizet: 7 things you should know

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 5, 2024.

1. How it works

• Nexlizet is a combination tablet that contains two different medicines to help lower high cholesterol: bempedoic acid and ezetimibe.
• Ezetimibe in Nexlizet works by reducing cholesterol absorption from the small intestine. It targets the sterol transporter, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), which is involved in the intestinal uptake of cholesterol and phytosterols and reduces total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood and belongs to the class of medicines known as cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
• Bempedoic acid is a new type of cholesterol-lowering medication that works in the same way as statins - lowering the production of cholesterol by the liver - but is not a statin. Bempedoic acid is a prodrug and is only converted to an active drug once in the liver, not in the muscles. Bempedoic acid belongs to the class of medicines known as adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitors.
• Nexlizet belongs to the class of medicines known as antihyperlipidemic combinations.

2. Upsides

• Nexlizet may be used to reduce LDL-C levels in adults with primary hyperlipidemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), alone or in combination with other LDL-C lowering therapies. Should be used in addition to dietary changes.
• Taken as one tablet, once a day. One tablet of Nexlizet contains 180 mg of bempedoic acid and 10 mg of ezetimibe.
• Can be taken with or without food.
• Nexlizet can be taken with or without other cholesterol-lowering medications like statins, fenofibrate, or bile-acid sequestrants that also help lower lipids. These medicines work differently and have a complementary effect to Nexlizet. Administer Nexlizet either at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after bile acid sequestrants.
• The bempedoic acid component helps to reduce the risk of a heart attack or the need to undergo cardiac procedures to restore blood flow (coronary revascularization) in adults with established cardiovascular disease (CVD), or, without CVD but at high risk for a CVD event, who are unable to take (or do not take) recommended statin therapy.
• No dosage adjustments are recommended for people with kidney disease, mild liver disease, or advanced age; however, Nexlizet has not been studied in people with moderate to severe liver disease and is not recommended in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
• Nexlizet has not been shown to result in changes in blood pressure.

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

• Upper respiratory tract infections, muscle spasms, high uric acid levels, pain, elevated liver enzymes, diarrhea, sinusitis, and feeling tired have been reported in people using either bempedoic acid or ezetimibe, the components of Nexlizet.
• 11% of people taking bempedoic acid (a component of Nexlizet) discontinued treatment because of side effects. The most common reasons for stopping treatment were muscle spasms, diarrhea, and pain.
• Although Nexlizet has been shown to lower LDL-C levels, it will not help you lose weight, nor should you gain weight. While you are taking Nexlizet you should also be following a low-fat diet and weight loss may occur if you are eating fewer calories as a result of this diet.
• Serious allergic reactions can happen in some people. Signs of an allergic reaction may include a rash or hives; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat that may cause trouble breathing or swallowing; joint pain and muscle aches; changes in laboratory tests; liver problems; stomach pain; inflammation of the pancreas; nausea; dizziness; tingling sensation; depression; headache; gallstones; inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Nexlizet has not been studied in children and is recommended only for adults over the age of 18.
• One of the components of Nexlizet, bempedoic acid, inhibits renal tubular OAT2 and may increase blood uric acid levels. In some studies, uric acid levels increased in 26% of bempedoic acid-treated patients with normal baseline uric acid values (the average increase after 12 weeks was 0.8 mg/dL), versus 9.5% of those treated with a placebo. In 3.5% of patients increases in uric acid were clinically significant. Increases in uric acid levels usually occurred within the first 4 weeks of starting treatment and persisted throughout treatment. This may increase a person's risk of developing gout. Monitor for gout throughout treatment.
• Bempedoic acid, a component of Nexlizet, may also slightly increase a person's risk of tendon rupture or injury (0.5% of people treated with bempedoic acid experienced a tendon injury that involved the rotator cuff of the shoulder, biceps tendon, or Achilles tendon, compared with 0% of people assigned placebo). May occur within weeks to months of starting Nexlizet and people over the age of 60, taking corticosteroid or fluoroquinolone drugs, with renal failure, or with previous tendon disorders are more at risk. Discontinue Nexlizet immediately if tendon rupture occurs. Consider discontinuing Nexlizet if the patient experiences joint pain, swelling, or inflammation. Advise patients to rest at the first sign of tendinitis or tendon rupture and to contact their healthcare provider immediately. Nexlizet may not be the preferred lipid-lowering medicine in those with a history of tendon disorders or tendon rupture.
• The components of Nexlizet -- ezetimibe and bempedoic acid, may interact with other medications. Combining Nexlizet with a statin can cause an increase in statin concentrations and may increase the risk of myopathy. Restrict statin doses, for example, simvastatin to 20 mg or pravastatin to 40mg. See below for a full list of interactions.
• Nexlizet has not been studied in pregnant women but generally, lipid-lowering treatments are not recommended in pregnant women. Discontinue Nexlizet when pregnancy is recognized and breastfeeding is not recommended with Nexlizet.

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

• Nexlizet contains ezetimibe and bempedoic acid and has been shown to decrease LDL-C levels by more than either drug alone. It is usually given in combination with other cholesterol-lowering treatments but may be used alone. Nexlizet is usually well-tolerated, but it may increase a person's risk of gout or tendon rupture.

5. Tips

• Take one tablet, once daily, with or without food. May be taken at any time of the day (morning or night); however, it is best to be consistent with the time you take your tablets.
• Take your medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop treatment unless recommended by your doctor.
• If you are taking another medicine to help control your cholesterol, your doctor should have let you know if you can take it at the same time as you take Nexlizet. If they haven't, ask them. Taking statins such as pravastatin or simvastatin with Nexlizet may increase your risk of muscle injury. Be alert for muscle pain.
• You will need to follow a cholesterol-lowering diet and exercise plan while on this medicine. Ask your doctor if you need diet information. If you smoke, ask your doctor how you can quit.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any yellowing of your skin or eyes, shortness of breath, unexplained cough, severe muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Ask your doctor how to recognize liver problems.
• If you are a female of childbearing age you should use an effective method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while using Nexlizet.
• Nexlizet may increase your risk of developing gout because it can increase uric acid levels. Tell your doctor if you develop any painful joint swelling. The risk is higher in people who have had gout before.
• Nexlizet may increase your risk of rupturing a tendon and you should tell your doctor immediately and rest if you experience joint pain, swelling, inflammation, or tendon rupture.
• It is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medications you use, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC medicines) vitamins, herbs, and dietary supplements. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

6. Response and effectiveness

• The effectiveness of Nexlizet was investigated in 301 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease on maximally tolerated statin therapy. After 12 weeks, the mean LDL-C level decreased by 36% in those taking Nexlizet, compared with 17% in those taking only bempedoic acid alone, and by 23% in those taking ezetimibe alone. In those assigned to placebo, LDL-C levels increased by 2%.
• After initiating Nexlizet, analyze lipid levels within 8 to 12 weeks.

7. Interactions

Medicines that interact with Nexlizet may either decrease its effect, increase its side effects, or change how other medicines work. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about how drug interactions should be managed.

No specific drug interaction studies have been conducted with Nexlizet. The following are interactions that have been reported with either bempedoic acid or ezetimibe the components of Nexlizet:

• Atogepant for migraine (may increase blood levels)
• Bile acid sequestrants: Take Nexlizet either 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking a bile acid sequestrant (such as cholestyramine). Taking these medicines at the same time may reduce the absorption and effectiveness of Nexlizet
• Cyclosporine: Combining Nexlizet with cyclosporine may increase the blood levels of ezetimibe (contained in Nexlizet) and cyclosporine and worsen side effects for one or both drugs. Speak to your doctor before you combine these two medicines. Your blood levels of cyclosporine may need to be monitored
• Fexofenadine (may increase blood levels)
• Fibrates: Coadministration of Nexlizet with fibrates other than fenofibrate is not recommended until further studies are completed
• Methotrexate (may increase blood levels)
• Nalidixic acid for urinary tract infections (may increase the risk of tendon rupture)
• Quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, may increase the risk of tendon rupture
• Steroids, such as betamethasone or budesonide may increase the risk of tendon rupture
• Red yeast rice (may increase side effects such as liver damage and rhabdomyolysis)
• Statins (may increase blood levels)
• Valsartan
• Warfarin: If you take the blood thinner warfarin with Nexlizet, your doctor will monitor your INR closely.

Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Nexlizet. Refer to the prescribing information for Nexlizet for a complete list of interactions.

References

• Nexlizet (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe). Updated 03/2024. Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/211617s016s017lbl.pdf

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Nexlizet only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Copyright 1996-2024 Drugs.com. Revision date: April 4, 2024.

Medical Disclaimer