It’s possible. In studies, Lipfendra has proven more effective than other oral non-statin medications, but the new drug has not been studied head-to-head with statins. Experts cannot confirm whether one medication is more effective than the other or determine which is the best cholesterol medication.
Lipfendra is not a statin, but rather a new cholesterol medication approved in July 2026. Statins, on the other hand, have been around for a little while and are among the most commonly used cholesterol-lowering medications.
Check out the table below for more details about how Lipfendra compares to statins for high cholesterol.
often added when statins aren’t working or aren’t well tolerated
lowered LDL cholesterol by about 56% to 59%
- higher doses of certain statins can lower LDL cholesterol by 50% or more
- moderate doses of certain statins typically lower it by 30% to 49%
oral tablet taken once daily in the morning on an empty stomach
oral tablet, capsule, or liquid taken once daily, typically at night
block PCSK9 protein to increase LDL cholesterol removal from bloodstream
block HMG-CoA reductase to reduce cholesterol production
brand name Lipfendra only
brand and generic statins available
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- muscle and joint pain
- headache
- fatigue
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- copay card offered by manufacturer, when used with insurance, may lower cost to as little as $15 per prescription
- only available as a brand-name drug, so it may cost more than a generic
- may require prior authorization, since it is new
- often covered by insurance
- generics tend to be more affordable than brand-name drugs
There may be times when your doctor recommends taking both Lipfendra and a statin medication to treat high cholesterol.
Here are a few questions to consider asking a doctor at your next appointment if you’re interested in comparing Lipfendra and statin medications:
- If I’m experiencing bothersome side effects from my statin medication, can I switch to Lipfendra?
- Is Lipfendra safe for my condition?
- Which medication fits my lifestyle better?
- Do any of the other medications I’m taking interact with Lipfendra?
- Can I switch to a different statin medication?
- Is it safe to stop taking my statin medication?
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