The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the anti-cholesterol pill Lipfendra for use in the United States. Backers say its ability to lower bad "LDL-C" cholesterol with just a pill is a breakthrough in the field. Photo courtesy of Merck & Co.
July 16 (UPI) -- Heralding what some are calling a revolution in cholesterol management, U.S. regulators on Thursday approved the use of pill shown to significantly reduce dangerous "LDL-C" cholesterol in at-risk adults.
The Food and Drug Administration announced it has OK'd enlicitide, produced and marketed by pharma giant Merck as Lipfendra, for use by patients with high LDL-C cholesterol or who have an inherited type of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, or HeFH.
LDL-C is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death globally.
Lipfendra, which works by inhibiting the PCSK9 liver protein, is a tablet taken by mouth once per day. Its cost has been set at $315 per month before discounts, Fierce Pharma reported -- roughly half that of other PCSK9 products on the market.
