bempedoic acid
What is the most important information I should know about bempedoic acid?
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
What is bempedoic acid?
Bempedoic acid is used together with diet and other medicines to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL).
Bempedoic acid is for use in adults with an inherited form of high cholesterol.
Bempedoic acid is also used to lower LDL cholesterol in adults with coronary artery disease (clogged arteries).
It is not known if bempedoic acid can lower the risk of complications related to high cholesterol (such as heart problems, heart attack, stroke, or death).
Bempedoic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bempedoic acid?
Bempedoic acid may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the arm, shoulder, or Achilles' tendon of the heel. This can happen within days or months after you start taking bempedoic acid. Tendon problems may be more likely in certain people (older adults, people with kidney disease, or people who take steroid medicine or certain antibiotics.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- liver disease;
- gout; or
- problems with your tendons.
Bempedoic acid may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
You should not breastfeed while using bempedoic acid.
How should I take bempedoic acid?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may take bempedoic acid with or without food.
You may need frequent medical tests.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking bempedoic acid?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What are the possible side effects of bempedoic acid?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking bempedoic acid and seek medical attention right away if you have signs of tendon rupture:
- sudden pain, swelling, bruising, or tenderness;
- stiffness, movement problems; or
- or a snapping or popping sound in any of your joints (rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe foot or toe pain;
- joint pain or swelling;
- warmth or redness over your joints; or
- low red blood cells (anemia) --pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.
Common side effects may include:
- pain in your back, shoulder, legs, or arms;
- muscle spasm;
- stomach pain;
- anemia;
- abnormal liver function tests;
- wheezing, cough, chest congestion; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect bempedoic acid?
Tell your doctor about all other cholesterol medicines you use, especially:
- pravastatin; or
- simvastatin.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect bempedoic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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