A recent study published in The Lancet reveals that combining the new drug Obicetrapib and the existing medication Ezetimibe may effectively lower cholesterol levels in patients with high LDL despite statins.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly known as “bad cholesterol,” is a key risk factor for various vascular conditions, including cardiovascular disease.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends keeping LDL levels below 100 mg/dL for low-risk individuals and under 70 mg/dL for high-risk individuals.
Statins, which inhibit the body’s cholesterol production, are widely prescribed and proven to help prevent cardiovascular disease. However, some patients continue to have elevated LDL levels even with statin therapy.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the new treatment, researchers enrolled 407 participants with an average age of 68. All had LDL levels above 70 mg/dL despite already being on cholesterol-lowering medication.
Participants were assigned to one of four treatment groups: one received a placebo, another received the combination of Obicetrapib and Ezetimibe, and the remaining two groups received each drug individually.
Throughout the study, all participants continued their regular cholesterol treatments.
After roughly three months, the group receiving the Obicetrapib and Ezetimibe combination showed a nearly 49% reduction in LDL levels.
Researchers emphasized that these results are auspicious for patients whose cholesterol remains uncontrolled despite standard medication.
The study concluded that combining Obicetrapib and Ezetimibe could be a highly effective option for managing LDL cholesterol in patients who do not respond sufficiently to existing therapies.
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