The Food and Drug Administration approved a new daily cholesterol pill from Merck called Lipfendra for patients with high LDL levels.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Lipfendra, a new daily cholesterol pill from Merck, to treat patients with hypercholesterolemia. Unlike traditional statins, this PCSK9 inhibitor works by preventing receptors in the liver from degrading, allowing them to pull "bad" cholesterol out of the blood. In clinical trials, Merck found the medication lowered LDL cholesterol by up to 60% over 24 weeks. Dr. Steven Nissen, chief academic officer at the Cleveland Clinic, noted that the pill is particularly effective when taken alongside a statin. While injectable PCSK9 inhibitors have been available since 2015, the new pill offers a convenient alternative for patients who prefer a daily tablet over a needle. The drug is intended for patients who remain above recommended cholesterol targets even while taking high doses of statins. Merck reported that Lipfendra will cost $10.50 per day, though the company expects out-of-pocket costs for patients to be lower.

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