New Cholesterol Pill Rivals Injections

A novel experimental pill, enlicitide, has demonstrated a significant ability to lower LDL cholesterol in individuals who remain at high risk for heart attacks, even while on statins. This development, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, could provide a more accessible treatment option for millions.

The study involved over 2,900 high-risk patients who added either enlicitide or a placebo to their standard statin treatment. Those taking enlicitide experienced up to a 60% reduction in LDL cholesterol within six months, a benefit that was largely sustained over a year. This oral option offers a comparable cholesterol-lowering effect to injected PCSK9 inhibitors but with greater ease of use for patients and prescribers.

While the pill requires consumption on an empty stomach, it showed no adverse safety differences compared to the placebo. Merck, which funded the study, is seeking FDA approval, with the drug fast-tracked for review. Although promising, further studies are ongoing to confirm if this reduction in cholesterol translates to fewer heart attacks and strokes.