I have been taking Nexletol (Bempedoic Acid) for a month
now. As I mentioned in my previous entry (http://livingwithfh.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-hard-is-it-to-manage-my-hofh.html),
this was an add-on medication for me to my other three medicines: Atorvastatin
(80 mg), Zetia (10 mg) and Praluent (15 ml injection). I wanted to share here some
side effects I personally have experienced so far. Not to discourage you from
taking the drug, but just to share my experience in case you have questions about
this when you are prescribed the medication. Again, this is a personal experience and
that alone. Not an advice of any kind, medical or otherwise.
If you read that previous blog entry, you’ll also find out
that my LDL is currently 193 mg/dl before the Nexletol. This latest drug is
supposed to lower my LDL by 15%. This would bring the LDL down to 164 mg/dl
which is still not optimal, but I guess the thought here is “every little bit
helps.” Homozygous FH numbers are stubborn!
The one side effect I noticed right after (within days) I
started taking the Bempedoic Acid was a horrible sore throat. It was incredibly
painful and made my voice raspy and hoarse. Lozenges which normally soothe my
throat when it is sore, did absolutely nothing to help it this time.
The only thing that helped was ice-cream. This would normally be good for most
people, but I am not keen on ice-cream. I know, crazy! Anyway, that lasted for
about two weeks and it went away. Along with that, my nose was dripping like I
had allergies or the sniffles. That also cleared up in a couple of weeks. I read
that one of the side effects of Nexletol is “upper respiratory tract infection”, so I
chalked it up to that and I was happy when it went away.
A third side effect that seems to have been lingering now
for a month is soreness in my joints, especially in my ankles. This has been
somewhat steady, and it’s not getting worse. It is mostly like something
between a dull pain and tenderness. My joints have been more painful this year,
for some reason (could be age?!), but since the Nexletol, they are slightly more
so. This has not cleared up, like I said, but it’s very bearable, so unless
this becomes more disabling, I am willing to stick it out for two more months
when the next cholesterol check is scheduled. I am curious to see what benefit
I do get from adding this new drug. If I can tolerate it and my liver can
tolerate it with no other trouble, I am willing to stay on it. We shall see.
Much health to everyone who has been on the journey of
managing FH for a while or is just starting today. I hope you’re all safe!
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