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Effectiveness and Safety of Bempedoic Acid in Taiwanese Patients With Hypercholesterolemia: A Pragmatic Phase 4 Study

I-Chang Hsieh1, Dong-Yi Chen1, Chih-Sheng Chu2,3

  • 1Department of Cardiology Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch Taoyuan Taiwan.

Journal of the American Heart Association
|May 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Bempedoic acid effectively lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 19% in Taiwanese patients with hypercholesterolemia. This nonstatin therapy demonstrated a favorable safety profile, offering a new oral option for lipid management.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Current lipid-lowering therapies often result in suboptimal lipid control.
  • Bempedoic acid presents a nonstatin oral treatment option for hypercholesterolemia, with limited real-world data in Asian populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effectiveness of bempedoic acid in managing hypercholesterolemia in Taiwan.
  • To assess the safety profile of bempedoic acid in a real-world Taiwanese setting.
  • To evaluate the impact of bempedoic acid on LDL-C and other lipid parameters.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, pragmatic phase 4 study involving 180 patients with inadequately controlled hypercholesterolemia.
  • Patients received bempedoic acid for 12 weeks as an add-on to existing lipid-lowering therapy.
  • Primary endpoint: percentage change in LDL-C; Secondary endpoints: changes in lipid parameters, hs-CRP, and safety.

Main Results:

  • A median 19% reduction in LDL-C was observed from baseline to week 12 (P<0.01).
  • Significant reductions were also noted in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and hs-CRP (all P<0.01).
  • The safety outcomes were consistent with the approved label, with no new safety signals.

Conclusions:

  • Bempedoic acid is an effective oral therapy for Taiwanese patients with inadequately controlled LDL-C.
  • The drug demonstrates a favorable safety profile in this population.
  • Bempedoic acid provides a valuable therapeutic option, particularly for patients on existing lipid-lowering treatments, including statins.
Abstract

Keywords:
Taiwanbempedoic acidhypercholesterolemialow‐density lipoprotein cholesterolpragmatic study

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