NICE has recommended the use of bempedoic acid with ezetimibe for patients with with primary hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia who cannot take statins.
The treatment can also be prescribed for patients in whom ezetimibe alone did not result in control of LDL cholesterol, NICE said in a technology appraisal.
Around 70,000 patients will now be eligible for the treatment when statins are not an option or have not worked for them, NICE estimated.
It expands on current recommendations that patients with hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia can be treated with ezetimibe and either alirocumab or evolocumab when their cholesterol levels are not lowered enough with the maximally tolerated dose of statins.
A commercial arrangement has been agreed for provision of the Nilemdo (bempedoic acid) and Nustendi (Bempedoic acid–ezetimibe) at a discounted price to the NHS, NICE said.
The only daily treatment can be given as separate tablets or a fixed dose combination.
Meindert Boysen, deputy chief executive and director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, said: ‘High cholesterol, if left untreated, can lead to a range of serious health conditions.
‘Although statins and other treatments are used successfully by a large portion of the population, some people may require other options to control their cholesterol.
‘We are pleased to be able to recommend bempedoic acid with ezetimibe as a new treatment option for these individuals.’
The news comes as a recent study showed that many people who quit statins due to muscle pain may have similar side effects from a placebo treatment.
READERS' COMMENTS [1]
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So, it could be good to have a drug that is effective for reduction of LDL-C.
But I will reserve judgement until at least march 2022 when some cardiovascular event and mortality data is due to arrive…
I am increasingly impressed with low carb diets and the benefits on Hba1c, HDL and triglycerides which appear to be the most significant drivers of cardiovascular risk…We are noticing patient transformations every week now that we have been promoting this for a couple of years.
But low carb has major headwinds, perhaps due to “big pharma” and diabetes medications, as well as “big food” and all the processed foods and drinks which need to be cut out. Oops, just looked at my “spiriva” clock, time to get back to work!