Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe

Pronunciation: bem-pee-doe-ick az-cid and ez-e-tee-mibe
Generic name: bempedoic acid and ezetimibe
Brand name: Nexlizet
Dosage form: oral tablet
Drug class: Antihyperlipidemic combinations

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 2, 2024.

What is bempedoic acid and ezetimibe?

Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe (brand name Nexlizet) is an oral combination tablet that combines an ACL inhibitor (bempedoic acid) with a cholesterol absorption inhibitor (ezetimibe) that 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. Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe should be used in addition to dietary changes.

The bempedoic acid component also 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.

The mechanism of action of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe is 2-fold. The bempedoic acid component works by blocking an enzyme called adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) that is involved in the production of cholesterol by the liver, lowering LDL-C levels in the blood. The ezetimibe component reduces blood cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol by the sterol transporter, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1), located in the small intestine.

Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe as a combination tablet, was first FDA-approved on February 26, 2020, under the brand name Nexlizet. There is no Nexlizet generic.

Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe side effects

The most common side effects of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe affecting 2% or more people include:

• symptoms of the common cold, flu, or flu-like symptoms
• back pain
• bronchitis
• anemia
• high uric acid levels
• diarrhea
• muscle spasms
• stomach pain
• pain in the shoulder, legs, or arms
• increased liver enzymes
• fatigue.

Serious side effects and warnings

Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe may cause serious side effects, including the following.

Increased levels of uric acid in your blood (hyperuricemia). This can happen within 4 weeks of you starting bempedoic acid and ezetimibe and continue throughout your treatment. Your healthcare provider may monitor your blood uric acid levels while you are taking bempedoic acid and ezetimibe. High levels of blood uric acid may lead to gout. Call your healthcare provider if you have the following symptoms of hyperuricemia and gout:

• severe foot pain especially in the toe joint
• warm joints
• swelling
• tender joints
• joint redness.

The risk of gout is higher in people who have had gout before. 

Tendon rupture or injury. Tendon problems can happen in people who take bempedoic acid, one of the medicines in Nexlizet, within weeks or months of starting bempedoic acid and ezetimibe. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, tears, and inflammation of tendons including the arm, shoulder, and the back of the ankle.

The risk of getting tendon problems while you take bempedoic acid and ezetimibe is higher if you:

• are over 60 years of age
• are taking antibiotics (fluoroquinolones)
• have had tendon problems
• are taking steroids (corticosteroids)
• have renal failure.

Stop taking bempedoic acid and ezetimibe immediately and get medical help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of a tendon rupture:

• hear or feel a snap or pop in a tendon area
• bruising right after an injury in a tendon area
• shoulder or bicep pain
• unable to move the affected area or put weight on the affected area.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reactions. The ezetimibe ingredient of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe may cause hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, or urticaria. Do not use in people with a known hypersensitivity to ezetimibe. Stop taking bempedoic acid and ezetimibe and call your healthcare provider, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction including:

• swelling of your face, lips, mouth, or tongue
• wheezing
• severe itching
• a fast heartbeat or pounding in your chest
• trouble breathing
• dizziness or fainting.

It is not known if bempedoic acid and ezetimibe is safe and effective in:

• people with severe liver problems
• severe kidney problems including people with end-stage kidney disease who are on dialysis
• children under 18 years of age.

May cause fetal harm. Breastfeeding is not recommended.

Related/similar drugs

What is the cost of Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe?

The cost of prescription drugs varies depending on your insurance plan and which pharmacy you use. The fixed-dose combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe is only available under the brand name Nexlizet. Refer to our price guide page for more information about Nexlizet's cost.

You may also be eligible for a Nexlizet coupon or Nexlizet copay card. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you qualify. There is no Nexlizet generic.

Before taking

Before you start taking bempedoic acid and ezetimibe, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have or had gout
• have or had tendon problems
• have severe kidney problems
• have moderate or severe liver problems
• are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to get pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Pregnancy

Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe may cause harm to your unborn baby. You and your healthcare provider will decide if you should take it while you are pregnant. If you become pregnant during bempedoic acid and ezetimibe treatment, tell your healthcare provider right away and call Esperion at 1-833-377-7633 to share information about the health of you and your baby.

Breastfeeding

It is not known if bempedoic acid and ezetimibe pass into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take bempedoic acid and ezetimibe or breastfeed. You should not do both.

How should I take bempedoic acid and ezetimibe?

Take bempedoic acid and ezetimibe exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• Take 1 Nexlizet 180/10 tablet (bempedoic acid 180 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg) by mouth every day. 
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not cut, chew, or crush the tablet.
• You may take the tablet with or without food.

If you take a medicine that lowers cholesterol by binding bile acids, such as colesevelam or cholestyramine, take bempedoic acid and ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after you take bile acid-binding medicines. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you take these medicines.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and just go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

What happens if I overdose?

If you take too much bempedoic acid and ezetimibe, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

What other medicines will affect bempedoic acid and ezetimibe?

Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe may affect how other medicines work and other medicines may affect how bempedoic acid and ezetimibe work. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider if you also take:

• simvastatin or pravastatin (other cholesterol-lowering medicines). Taking statins with bempedoic acid and ezetimibe may increase your risk of developing muscle pain or weakness (myopathy)
• cyclosporine (often used in organ transplant patients)
• fibrates (used to lower cholesterol)
• cholestyramine (used to lower cholesterol).

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Storage

Store bempedoic acid and ezetimibe in the original package at room temperature between 68ºF to 77ºF (20ºC to 25ºC).

Protect from heat and moisture. Do not throw away the packet that helps to keep your medicine dry (desiccant).

Nexlizet comes in a bottle with a child-resistant cap. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.

Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe ingredients

Active Ingredients: bempedoic acid and ezetimibe.

Inactive Ingredients (Nexlizet): colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxy propyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K30, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium starch glycolate.

Tablet coating (Nexlizet): FD&C Blue #1/Brilliant Blue FCF Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #2/Indigo Carmine Aluminum Lake, glyceryl monocaprylocaprate, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Nexlizet is only available in one strength that contains 180 mg bempedoic acid and 10 mg ezetimibe.

Who makes bempedoic acid and ezetimibe?

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., make the only brand of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe, which is Nexlizet.

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Further information

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

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