Bempedoic Acid Side Effects: What You Need to Know
When you're taking bempedoic acid, a prescription medication used to lower LDL cholesterol in people who can't tolerate statins or need extra help. Also known as Nexletol, it works in the liver to block cholesterol production, without the muscle pain that often comes with statins. But like any drug, it’s not without risks. You might have heard it’s safer than statins, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Real people report side effects — some mild, some serious enough to stop taking it.
One of the biggest concerns with bempedoic acid, a cholesterol-lowering agent that targets the same pathway as statins but in a different part of the liver is elevated uric acid levels. That can lead to gout flares — sharp, sudden joint pain, often in the big toe. If you’ve had gout before, this isn’t just a footnote. It’s a real reason to talk to your doctor before starting. Another issue: tendon problems. There’s a documented increase in tendon rupture, especially in the Achilles. It’s rare, but it’s listed in the FDA’s safety data. If you feel sudden pain or swelling in a tendon, stop and get it checked. This isn’t something you wait out.
Then there’s the less dramatic stuff: increased liver enzymes, mild stomach upset, or feeling tired. These don’t grab headlines, but they’re why some people quit. Unlike statins, bempedoic acid doesn’t cause muscle breakdown in most people — that’s why it’s prescribed. But it doesn’t fix everything. It’s often used with ezetimibe or statins, not alone. And if you’re on a statin already, adding bempedoic acid means you’re stacking two drugs that both affect the liver. Your doctor should monitor your liver function regularly.
It’s also worth noting that bempedoic acid, a newer option for people with familial hypercholesterolemia or those who’ve had heart attacks isn’t for everyone. If you have severe kidney disease, it’s not recommended. And if you’re pregnant or planning to be, avoid it — there’s no safety data. It’s not a supplement. It’s a drug with measurable effects, both good and bad.
What you won’t find in ads is how often people stop taking it because of side effects. Real-world studies show about 1 in 10 people discontinue it within the first year. Not because it didn’t lower their cholesterol — it usually does. But because the trade-off felt too high. That’s why knowing the risks ahead of time matters. You’re not just choosing a pill. You’re choosing a daily routine that might change how you feel.
Below, you’ll find real posts from people who’ve dealt with bempedoic acid side effects, compared it to other cholesterol drugs, and figured out what worked — or didn’t — for their bodies. No theory. No fluff. Just what people actually experienced.
