Experimental daily pill may lower cholesterol in patients who don’t see enough benefit with statins alone, study finds

Having high cholesterol in the blood can lead to a buildup called “plaque” on the walls of the arteries, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease. Mohammed Haneefa Nizamudeen/iStockphoto/Getty Images

For some people with high cholesterol, making lifestyle changes and taking routine statin medications may not be sufficient to help them reach their target cholesterol levels. For these patients, a new experimental pill could offer some hope.

Phase 3 trial data found that people who took the investigational drug enlicitide with their routine cholesterol-lowering regimen, like statins, saw up to a 60% reduction in their LDL or “bad” cholesterol after 24 weeks of daily treatment, according to a news release about the results.  That was in comparison with people who took a placebo alon