New daily pill reduces bad cholesterol by 60% in major clinical study

May be reduced with new daily tablets bad cholesterol level According to a new study, it has decreased by 60%.

Enlisitide, developed by Merck & Co., lowered “bad” LDL cholesterol by more than half in a global study published this week in JAMA, a journal of the American Medical Association.

trialThe organization, led by Dr. Christy M. Ballantyne of the Texas Heart Institute, spans 59 medical facilities in 17 countries.

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The study involved 303 adults diagnosed with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). HeFH is a genetic disease that raises LDL cholesterol and increases the risk of early onset. heart disease.

All participants were already taking other medications and lipid-lowering therapy, but their cholesterol levels remained above target, according to a press release from the researchers.

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a genetic disorder that raises LDL cholesterol and increases the risk of early heart disease. (St. Petersburg)

Researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either 20 mg of ensitide once a day or one dose. Placebo tablet.

The study was conducted for 52 weeks. People who took Encisid had an average 58% reduction in LDL levels by week 24. Those who took the placebo saw virtually no changes.

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The difference between groups was nearly 60%, statistically significant, and the effect was stable over the year.

After 52 weeks, cholesterol in the ensitide group maintained a reduction of about 55%, while cholesterol in the placebo group increased slightly, the release states.

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Researchers found that other measures of harmful fat also improved. Non-HDL cholesterol decreased by 52%, apolipoprotein B decreased by 48%, and lipoprotein (a) decreased by nearly 25%.

Almost 97% of participants completed the study, and the incidence of side effects was similar between the two groups. The most common problems were mild and temporary, such as headaches and headaches. cold-like symptomsresearchers shared.

All participants were already taking other medications and lipid-lowering therapy, but their cholesterol levels were still above target. (St. Petersburg)

Studies show that HeFH affects approximately 1 in 250 people worldwide, and many struggle to control their cholesterol even with intensive treatment.

the current PCSK9 inhibitor (also called PCSK9 inhibitors) can be injected every few weeks with similar results. Enlicitide may offer a simpler once-daily oral option.

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The researchers cautioned that there are caveats to their results. The study focused on cholesterol levels, not whether the pills actually protect. heart attack, stroke or death. These large-scale outcome studies are currently ongoing.

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The study also only included HeFH patients who were already on other treatments, so it’s unclear how the drug would work in patients with the more common type of high cholesterol.

Additionally, the study only lasted one year, so long-term safety has not yet been proven.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Merck for comment.