Category- Allopathy
About Bempedoic Acid 180 mg
Bempedoic acid 180 mg tablet is used to treat high LDL cholesterol in patients who cannot tolerate statins or need extra help lowering cholesterol to reduce heart attack risk. It works by blocking an enzyme in the liver that makes cholesterol, thereby lowering LDL (bad cholesterol). Common side effects include muscle pain, joint pain, stomach upset, and increased uric acid, which may trigger gout. Food does not significantly affect its absorption, but alcohol and high-purine foods (like red meat or seafood) may worsen gout risk. The usual dose is 180 mg once a day and taking more than this can cause overdosing effects like severe muscle pain, liver enzyme elevations, stomach upset, and a higher risk of gout attacks. People with severe liver disease, uncontrolled gout, or a known allergy to the drug should avoid it. In short, bempedoic acid is a helpful non-statin option for lowering cholesterol, but it must be used carefully in patients prone to gout or liver problems.
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To control bad cholesterol and improve heart health in statin-allergic patients 2. To prevent heart disease. |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Bloody urine 2. Decreased amount of urine 3. Increased blood pressure 4. Increased thirst 5. Loss of appetite 6. Lower back or side pain 7. Nausea 8. Pale skin 9. Swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs 10. Trouble breathing 11. Unusual bleeding or bruising 12. Unusual tiredness or weakness 13. Vomiting |
| Additional Information | Avoid consuming grapes, alcohol, and tobacco while taking this medicine. |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | Take this medicine orally with a sip of water. |
Bempedoic Acid 180 mg Uses
Bempedoic acid 180 mg tablet is used to treat the following conditions:
- Increased levels of bad cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)
- Clogged fat in arteries (atherosclerosis)
Bempedoic Acid 180 mg side effects
More Common
- Bloody urine
- Decreased amount of urine
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Lower back or side pain
- Nausea
- Pale skin
- Swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- Trouble breathing
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Vomiting
Less Common
- Ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
- Arm, back, or leg pain
- Body aches or pain
- Chest tightness
- Chills
- Cough
- Cough producing mucus
- Difficulty urinating
- Dizziness
- Ear congestion
- Fainting
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Fever
- Frequent urination
- Gaseous stomach pain
- Headache
- Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- Loss of voice
- Muscle spasms
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Stomach fullness
- Swelling of the feet or lower legs
- Trouble breathing
- Yellow eyes or skin
How Bempedoic Acid 180 mg works
Bempedoic acid works by blocking an enzyme in the liver called ATP‑citrate lyase, which is needed to make cholesterol. By stopping this step, it reduces the production of LDL (“bad cholesterol”) before the statins’ target point in the pathway. This unique action lowers cholesterol without affecting muscles directly, making it useful for people who cannot tolerate statins.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
Bempedoic acid 180 mg may harm a fetus, especially early in pregnancy. It’s avoided unless necessary and always consult your doctor before using it.
Kidney and Liver Problems
Bempedoic acid 180 mg can affect the liver’s functioning by causing changes in liver-produced enzymes and can lead to severe toxicity and liver damage. So, take the medicine only when the doctor recommends it.
Breastfeeding
Bempedoic acid 180 mg isn’t usually advised while breastfeeding due to unknown effects on the baby. Always talk to your doctor before using it.
Bempedoic Acid 180 mg Interaction with Food Product
Alcohol and smoking can interact with the medicine, simultaneously affecting the drug’s action, and can cause an increase or decrease in the drug’s action.
Bempedoic Acid 180 mg Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Bempedoic acid 180 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Bempedoic Acid 180 mg Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
8‑Hydroxy‑2,2,14,14‑tetramethylpentadecanedioic acid.
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take bempedoic acid 180 mg exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take bempedoic acid 180 mg, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 200 mg of Bempedoic acid per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like liver damage, kidney damage, pancreatitis, muscle problems, nausea, and muscle problems. If you face any of the severe effects, take him to the doctor.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
Directions for use
- Take bempedoic acid 180 mg exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking bempedoic acid 180 mg without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take Bempedoic Acid 180 mg, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
FAQ’s
What are the uses of bempedoic acid 180 mg tablets?
Bempedoic acid 180 mg tablet is used to control heart attacks and strokes and to reduce the bad cholesterol in the body.
What is the drug class of bempedoic acid 180 mg?
Bempedoic acid 180 mg tablet belongs to the pharmacological class of lipid-lowering agents, and it is used to maintain heart health.
What are the side effects of bempedoic acid 180 mg?
Common side effects of bempedoic acid 180 mg tablet include dizziness, fainting, aching, itching, and stomach upset, which sometimes causes serious side effects like chest pain, weight loss and trouble breathing.
What is the mechanism of action of bempedoic acid 180 mg?
Bempedoic acid 180 mg lowers cholesterol by blocking ATP‑citrate lyase, an enzyme in the liver that helps make cholesterol. This reduces LDL (“bad cholesterol”) production upstream of statins, offering a safer option for people who cannot tolerate statins.
Reference
- StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. Bempedoic Acid [Updated 2025 Jan 2; cited 2026 Jan 15]. Available from.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 10472693, Bempedoic acid [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 15]. Available from.
- Drugs.com. Bempedoic acid: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects [Internet]. Drugs.com; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 15]. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Bempedoic acid (oral route) description. Available from.
Authors
Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.