Nexletol (bempedoic acid) is a prescription drug that’s prescribed for adults to treat high cholesterol. The drug comes as an oral tablet. It’s usually taken once a day.
Nexletol is prescribed with a statin medication and a low cholesterol diet to treat:
- heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
- high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with atherosclerosis
The active ingredient in Nexletol is bempedoic acid. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It’s an adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase inhibitor, which blocks a protein in the liver that makes LDL cholesterol.
This article describes the dosage of Nexletol, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Nexletol, see this in-depth article.
This section describes the usual dosage of Nexletol. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Nexletol’s form?
Nexletol is available as a tablet that you swallow.
What strength does Nexletol come in?
Nexletol comes in one strength of 180 milligrams (mg).
What are the usual dosages of Nexletol?
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes the dosage of Nexletol that’s commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for high cholesterol
To treat high cholesterol, your doctor will usually prescribe 180 mg of Nexletol once per day. They’ll also prescribe a statin medication and recommend that you adopt a low cholesterol diet.
Is Nexletol used long term?
Yes, Nexletol is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Nexletol is available as an oral tablet. You’ll take it once per day as directed by your doctor. You can take it with or without food.
It’s not known if it’s safe to cut, crush, or chew Nexletol tablets. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Nexletol, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Let your pharmacist know whether you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Nexletol in an easy-open container.
If you miss a dose of Nexletol, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Nexletol on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Nexletol than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you take too much Nexletol
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Nexletol. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Nexletol for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Nexletol without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Nexletol exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my dosage of Nexletol depend on which statin medication I’m taking?
- How does Nexletol’s dosage compare with other cholesterol lowering drugs, such as Repatha (evolocumab)?
- Can I divide my dosage of Nexletol into two doses?
To learn more about Nexletol, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.