Nexletol (bempedoic acid) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for high cholesterol and certain heart conditions. As with other drugs, Nexletol can cause side effects, such as muscle spasms and abdominal pain.

Nexletol can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if they last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Nexletol in clinical trials:

* For more information on this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Mild side effects can occur with Nexletol use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects reported with the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Nexletol prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Nexletol can include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if they last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Nexletol and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information on this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Nexletol may cause serious side effects. However, these were rare in clinical trials. The list below may not include all possible reported serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Nexletol’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Nexletol, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects can include:

  • tendon rupture*
  • severely high uric acid levels*

* For more information on this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Nexletol can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. However, it has been reported since the drug was approved for use.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to x drug [form], your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

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Nexletol may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are Nexletol’s side effects similar to those of other cholesterol medications?

Nexletol can cause side effects similar to those of other cholesterol medications, but It can also cause some different side effects.

In addition, other cholesterol medications may cause side effects that weren’t reported in Nexletol’s clinical trials.

For example, many cholesterol medications belong to a drug class called statins. These drugs may cause myopathy (muscle pain and weakness). However, Nexletol is not a statin, and myopathy wasn’t reported in Nexletol’s clinical trials.

People taking Nexletol in clinical trials did report pain in their shoulders, legs, and arms. And, like some other cholesterol medications, Nexletol may affect the liver.

To learn more about possible side effects of Nexletol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Nexletol damage my liver?

It’s unlikely. Liver damage wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

However, it’s possible for Nexletol to cause elevated liver enzymes. High levels of liver enzymes can be a sign that your liver isn’t working as well as it should. But in clinical trials, this side effect rarely caused symptoms. It also typically went away on its own throughout treatment with Nexletol or after people stopped taking the drug.

To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section. If you have questions about how taking Nexletol may affect your liver, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

I heard Nexletol can cause ruptured tendons. Is it safe for me to exercise while taking Nexletol?

Maybe, but talk with your doctor before exercising. It’s true that Nexletol can cause tendon ruptures or tears.

Tendon ruptures are most likely to occur around the shoulder, bicep, or Achilles tendon. But the problems can occur in any tendon in your body.

If you’re working out and notice a tendon problem, stop exercising. Be sure to talk with your doctor or get urgent medical help. You’ll likely need to stop taking Nexletol after speaking with your doctor or receiving emergency care. Your doctor may recommend a different medication for your condition.

If you’re thinking about starting an exercise program while taking Nexletol, talk with your doctor first. They can help assess your risk of a tendon rupture and recommend safe exercises for you.

To learn if you may have a higher risk of tendon problems from Nexletol, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Can Nexletol decrease my risk of heart problems?

It depends. Nexletol may be prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and certain heart procedures, such as heart stents and bypass surgery. Other heart problems were not studied in the drug’s clinical trials.

If you have questions about lowering the risk of certain heart problems, talk with your doctor. To learn more about how cholesterol relates to heart health, see this article.

Learn more about some of the side effects Nexletol may cause.

Elevated liver enzymes

Nexletol use could cause increased levels of liver enzymes. This side effect wasn’t among the more common side effects reported in people taking Nexletol in clinical trials. And most people who reported it had only a mild increase.

Sometimes, increased liver enzyme levels are a sign that your liver isn’t working as well as it should. Most people who had this side effect while taking Nexletol didn’t develop any symptoms of liver problems, such as liver failure or hepatitis. Some people’s liver enzyme levels returned to previous levels as they continued to take Nexletol. However, some people did have to stop taking the drug for their levels to return to typical levels.

What you can do

Increases in liver enzyme levels usually don’t cause symptoms. You will likely only experience symptoms if a more severe liver condition, such as hepatitis, is causing the elevations.

While you are taking Nexletol, your doctor will monitor your liver enzyme levels through blood tests. If they notice a small increase, they may have you continue taking the medication. But if the increase is large, your doctor may have you stop taking Nexletol, at least for a little while. They can review the best treatment options for you.

Ruptured tendon

Although rare, Nexletol can cause a tendon rupture. This may also be called a tendon tear. Tendons are thick tissues that connect your muscles to bones.

A tendon rupture is most likely to occur around the shoulder, bicep, or Achilles tendon. But the problems can occur in any tendon in the body.

This side effect is more likely to happen during the first few weeks after beginning treatment with Nexletol. But in clinical trials, tendon problems also occurred within weeks or months of starting to use Nexletol.

You may have a higher risk of a ruptured tendon while taking Nexletol if you:

What you can do

While you use Nexletol, watch for any symptoms of a ruptured tendon, including:

  • hearing or feeling a pop in a tendon
  • bruising around the tendon
  • being unable to move or place weight on the affected area

If you notice any of the above symptoms, stop taking Nexletol right away and get urgent medical help. Your doctor may recommend a different medication for your condition.

High uric acid levels

Nexletol can cause hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels), which can result in gout. Gout is a condition that causes sudden, painful swelling in your joints.

High uric acid levels typically occur within the first 4 weeks of beginning treatment with Nexletol. If you already have gout, you may have a higher risk of this side effect.

What you can do

Be on the lookout for sudden pain, discoloration, or swelling in your joints while taking Nexletol.

During treatment, your doctor will also perform blood tests to monitor your uric acid levels. If necessary, they may prescribe a medication to help lower your uric acid levels. For more ways to manage this side effect, see this article.

Pain

Body pain is a possible side effect of Nexletol. People taking Nexletol in clinical trials reported pain in the back, abdomen, shoulders, legs, and arms. This was one of the more common side effects in the drug’s clinical trials. However, it didn’t occur in many people overall.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you experience pain while taking Nexletol. They can recommend ways to treat this side effect. If the pain bothers you, they may recommend a different medication for your condition.

Anemia

Anemia (low red blood cell count) can occur with Nexletol treatment. But this side effect wasn’t as common as some other side effects of the drug in clinical trials. In most cases, anemia caused by Nexletol didn’t cause symptoms or require treatment.

What you can do

You can watch for symptoms of anemia while taking Nexletol, including:

  • feeling like you have less energy than usual
  • weakness
  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath

Talk with your doctor if you notice the above symptoms. During your Nexletol treatment, they may do blood tests to monitor your red blood cell counts.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Nexletol. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Tendon problems: Nexletol may cause a ruptured tendon, but this is rare. You may have a higher risk of this side effect if you have a current or previous tendon problem. Your doctor may recommend a different treatment if this applies to you.

Liver problems: Nexletol may increase your liver enzyme levels. This can be a sign of liver damage or indicate that your liver isn’t working properly. If you have an existing liver problem, talk with your doctor before you start taking Nexletol. They’ll determine whether this drug is safe for your condition.

Kidney problems: Nexletol may cause a ruptured tendon. If you have a kidney problem, such as kidney failure, you may have a higher risk of this side effect. Before you start treatment with this drug, tell your doctor if you have a kidney problem. They’ll determine whether this drug is safe for you to take.

Gout: Before you start treatment with Nexletol, be sure to talk with your doctor if you have a history of gout. Nexletol can increase uric acid levels, which can lead to gout. If you already have gout, you may have an increased risk of high uric acid levels. Your doctor can discuss whether Nexletol is safe for you to take with your condition.

Allergic reaction: You shouldn’t take Nexletol If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Nexletol or any of its ingredients. Talk with your doctor about what other treatments are better choices for you.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between taking Nexletol and drinking alcohol. However, heavy alcohol consumption can cause liver damage. Nexletol can cause elevated liver enzymes, which may be a sign of a liver problem. Your doctor can tell you how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink during treatment with Nexletol.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It is unknown whether Nexletol is safe to take during pregnancy. However, you shouldn’t take Nexletol while breastfeeding. It’s not clear whether this drug shows up in human breastmilk. Based on how the drug works, it’s possible that Nexletol may cause serious side effects in a child who’s breastfed.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor before you start treatment with Nexletol. If you become pregnant during treatment, contact your doctor right away. They’ll advise on the safest treatment options for you and your child.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.