Nexletol: Side Effects, Uses & Interactions

Introduction

Nexletol

Nexletol is the trade name of the prescription drug to treat the body’s high cholesterol in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (hereditary disorder with high cholesterol) or heart-blood vessel (cardiovascular) disorder. The doctors usually advise the Nexletol medication, low-cholesterol food, and statin (another cholesterol-lowering drug) to manage the body’s low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol).

Nexletol is available in the health stores only as the trade name medication. The Pharma companies do not produce them in their generic form. Generic medication has the identical ingredients as the trade name drug. In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration, United States approved Nexletol to decrease the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) in grown-ups ¹ Introduction | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health. This article will review everything you need about Nexletol, including its adverse effects, uses, and interactions.

Mode of Action

Nexletol Mode of Action

• Nexletol contains Bempedoic acids as the chief component. Bempedoic is the ACL (adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase) inhibitor.
• ACL inhibitor is the medication class that prevents the functioning of the ACL enzyme (a liver protein that stimulates the chemical reaction), thereby hindering the enzyme necessary for cholesterol formation. Medication class is the drug collection that works alike ² Mode of Action | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.
• Nexletol works by preventing the working of the ACL enzyme. ACL enzyme is the liver protein that produces bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). Thus, Nexletol decreases the levels of the body’s low-density lipoprotein ³ Mode of Action | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Dosage

Dosage & Administration of Nexletol

Nexletol comes in tablet form in only one power (strength) viz; 180 mg (milligrams). The physician will advise the appropriate dosage based on the patient’s needs and other health issues. However, some of the commonly suggested dosage of Nexletol is listed below-

• Dosage for decreasing LDL in adult – 180 milligrams (mg) daily before or after food ⁴ Dosage & Administration | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

How to take Nexletol?

• Nexletol is available in tablet form that one can take through the mouth and swallow with plain water.
• The doctor will advise the Nexletol medication with a low-fat diet and another cholesterol-lowering drug viz; statin or ezetimibe.

Can I take Nexletol every other day?

• The doctors recommend 180 milligrams of Nexletol to be taken daily for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and heart diseases.
• Doctors do not usually recommend taking the Nexletol drug on alternate days.

Side Effects

Side Effects of Nexletol

Mild Side Effects of Nexletol

• Backache
• Muscle pain
• Abdominal pain
• Lung infection viz; common cold
• Legs, hand, and feet pain
• Increased liver enzyme (protein)
• Nose-throat infection
• Anemia (lack of the body’s healthy red blood cells)

Serious Side Effects

Disrupted tendons symptoms

• Intense pain and puffiness
• Weakness of the afflicted part
• Blemishes in the affected part
• Difficulty in moving the affected leg or hand
• Difficulty in bearing weight
• Malformation of the affected area

Increased uric acid (hyperuricemia) symptoms

• Foot ache usually in the big toe
• Tender joints
• Warmed and puffiness of the affected area

Severe allergic reaction symptoms

• Hives
• Intense itching
• Skin rash
• Swelling in the mouth, face, and lips
• Shortness of breath ⁵ Side Effects | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Overdose

Nexletol Overdose

• Individuals must always take Nexletol as the physician directs, as excess intake can lead to severe adverse effects and complications.
• However, in case of an overdose, one must dial the emergency medical number based on the location, dial 911, or hurry to the nearby medical emergency room ⁹ Overdose | Researched based study from ScienceDirect.

Uses

What is Nexletol Used for?

Nexletol is FDA-approved to decrease cholesterol levels in adults with the following conditions-

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

• It is a hereditary disease that causes very high levels of the body’s cholesterol.
• Cholesterol is the fatty substance produced by the liver essential for maintaining good health in the correct amount.
• However, a high amount causes diseases viz; heart ailments.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

• It is the disease of fat accumulation in the arterial wall that makes blood flow difficult.
• In research studies, Nexletol, along with a low-fat diet and statin, is efficient in decreasing around 17 -25 % of the body’s low-density lipoprotein compared to another group without Nexletol ⁶ Uses | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Precautions

Precautions to be taken for Nexletol

Although Nexletol is efficient in lowering blood cholesterol for most people, it might not fit everyone, so people with health issues must inform their physician before taking the Nexletol treatment.

Some of the conditions that patients must inform the doctor are listed below-

• Allergy to any of the Nexletol drug’s component
• Gout (a kind of arthritis that causes joint inflammation)
• Hyperuricemia (increased levels of blood uric acid)
• Liver issues
• Kidney disease
• Previous history of tendon disruption
• Pregnancy
• Nursing mothers ⁷ Precautions | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Pregnant women

• There is inadequate information to indicate if Nexletol is safe for pregnant women.
• However, looking at the drug’s mechanism of action in the body, some believe that Nexletol might not be safe during pregnancy.
• Thus, always speak to the health professional before taking the treatment if you are pregnant or planning to start a family.

Nursing mothers

• There are inadequate studies to date to indicate if Nexletol passes through the breast milk or if it’s harmful to breastfed infants, so talk to the health care provider before taking the treatment if you are a nursing mother or planning to do so shortly ⁸ Precautions | Researched based study from ScienceDirect.

Interactions

Drug Interactions with Nexletol

Nexletol might interact with several other medications. Some of the statin drugs (different cholesterol-lowering drugs) that Nexletol might interact with are listed below-

• Pravachol
• Zocor ¹⁰ Interactions | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

However, Nexletol might also interact with other drugs not listed above. Be sure to discuss with the physician if you are taking other medications, herbs, or supplements before taking the Nexletol treatment to avoid unwanted side effects.

Alternatives

Alternatives to Nexletol

Other medications are also available to lower cholesterol levels; some might suit better. Individuals interested in an alternative must talk to the physician to get the correct fit based on their health issues.

Some of the examples of optional drugs other than Nexletol are listed below-

• Prevalite
• Zetia
• Niaspan
• Kynamro
• Repatha
• Praluent
• Crestor
• Juxtapid
• Welchol ¹¹ Alternatives | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Storage

Nexletol Storage & Disposal

• Store Nexletol at room temperature (25 degrees centigrade) away from direct sun rays.
• Ensure to Keep it in a safe place away from kids and youngsters
• Keep the medication in a dry, moist-free area and avoid keeping it in washrooms
• Dispose of any unused medicine whose expiration date has passed over
• Always throw the drug in a thrash to avert accidental intake by kids and pets

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Nexletol

Q. Does Nexletol cause weight gain?

• To date, no scientific report supports if Nexletol causes weight alteration, i.e., weight loss or gain.
• However, individuals experiencing weight alteration while taking Nexletol must speak to the healthcare provider to know the possible causes.

Q. Does Nexletol cause hair loss as a side effect?

• No, scientific evidence supports that Nexletol causes hair loss as an adverse effect.
• However, people might experience hair thinning during Nexletol treatment due to other causes or additional specific drugs, so consult a health professional about it.

Q. Is Nexletol better than a statin?

• Nexletol is less effective than statin drugs. However, research studies have indicated that Nexletol can be a good option for individuals with statin intolerance ¹² FAQs| Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Q. How safe is Nexletol

• Studies have indicated that Nexletol is safe and efficient for most people in lowering blood cholesterol with other cholesterol-decreasing drugs.
• However, in some sections of people, it might rarely cause serious adverse effects viz; increased levels of blood uric acid, tendon disruption, and gout ¹³ FAQs | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Q. What are the problems with Nexletol?

• There can be mild side effects on taking Nexletol, which should subside after a few days.
• However, in case of severe adverse effects, viz. swelling in lips and mouth, intense itching, tender, and swollen joints, and disrupted tendons, one must report to the healthcare professional immediately without delay.

Q. Does Nexletol work without a statin?

• Research studies have indicated that Nexletol (non-statin therapy) works well even without statin in reducing the blood’s cholesterol level.
• Moreover, it also decreased the heart attack probability by around 20-23%. Thus, Nexletol is an excellent option for statin-intolerant individuals ¹⁴ FAQs | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Q. Can Nexletol cause liver damage?

• Nexletol impacts the liver but rarely causes liver malfunctioning. In research studies, researchers have found that people who consumed Nexletol had elevated liver enzyme levels. However, high levels of liver enzyme are an indication of some deterioration of liver function ¹⁵ FAQs | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health.

Takeaway

Take Nexletol as per Physician Advice

Nexletol is the FDA-approved medication to treat high cholesterol in adults with specific conditions viz; heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and heart-blood vessel (cardiovascular) disorder. Individuals must take Nexletol as the physician advises, as overdose can cause serious health issues. People with allergies or on particular medication must tell the doctor before treatment to avert unnecessary complications.