Like most drugs, Nexlizet may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common ones, but they don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Nexlizet. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Mild side effects
Below is a list of some of the mild side effects that Nexlizet can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Nexlizet’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Nexlizet that have been reported include:
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Nexlizet can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Nexlizet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Nexlizet that have been reported include:
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.
Side effect focus
Learn more about some of the side effects Nexlizet may cause.
Muscle cramps
Some people may have muscle cramps while taking Nexlizet. These are sudden muscle spasms that you can’t control. Affected muscles may feel tight, hard, or painful. Most people who took Nexlizet in studies didn’t have this side effect. But some people had to stop the drug because of severe muscle cramps, though this was rare.
What might help
Muscle cramps usually go away on their own within a few seconds to minutes. Here are a few tips to try when a muscle cramp occurs:
- Stretch the affected area of your body.
- Gently massage the tight or painful area.
- Move around. For example, if a leg cramp occurs while you’re in bed, it can help to get up and walk around.
Staying hydrated may also help prevent muscle cramps. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids each day, especially if you’re exercising in hot weather.
Talk with your doctor if muscle cramps become severe while you’re taking Nexlizet. They may recommend a different treatment option for your condition.
Belly pain
Some people may have belly pain while taking Nexlizet. While most people taking the drug in studies didn’t have this side effect, some reported pain or discomfort in their upper or lower abdomen.
What might help
If you have belly pain while taking Nexlizet, it should go away with continued treatment. Some people find that taking the drug with food helps prevent or lessen this side effect. (Nexlizet may be taken with or without food.)
If this side effect doesn’t go away or becomes severe, tell your doctor. They may want to check you for other causes of belly pain. Or they may prescribe a different cholesterol-lowering drug for you instead of Nexlizet.
Tendon problems
Nexlizet contains the active ingredient bempedoic acid. This ingredient may increase the risk of tendon problems. (Tendons are connective tissues that attach muscles to bones.)
Pain or swelling may occur if tendons rupture, tear, or become inflamed. In studies, tendon rupture occurred in some people’s shoulders, biceps, or Achilles tendons.
Certain factors can further increase the risk of tendon problems with this drug, including:
- having had a tendon rupture or injury in the past
- being ages 60 years or older
- having kidney failure
- taking a corticosteroid medication (such as prednisone) or a fluoroquinolone antibiotic (such as ciprofloxacin)
This side effect wasn’t specifically reported in Nexlizet’s studies. But it occurred rarely in studies that just looked at bempedoic acid, one of the active drugs in Nexlizet. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
What might help
Before starting Nexlizet, be sure to tell your doctor if any of the factors above apply to you. They may prescribe a different treatment for high cholesterol that doesn’t contain bempedoic acid. Or if you need to take a short course of a steroid or fluoroquinolone antibiotic, they may have you pause Nexlizet treatment temporarily.
If you develop pain or swelling anywhere in your body, rest the affected area and tell your doctor right away. They’ll help you identify the cause of your symptoms. If they confirm you have a tendon injury, they’ll likely have you stop taking Nexlizet.
Allergic reaction
Some people may have an allergic reaction to Nexlizet. Allergic reactions have been reported in people taking ezetimibe, one of the active ingredients in Nexlizet.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause you to have trouble breathing.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Nexlizet. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
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