Nexletol side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Nexletol tablets to:

• treat high cholesterol in certain adults
• help reduce the risk of heart attack or need for certain heart procedures in adults with heart disease or at high risk of heart problems

This article describes possible side effects of Nexletol. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Nexletol, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.

Nexletol is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes possible side effects of Nexletol.

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More common side effects of Nexletol

Nexletol may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of Nexletol include:

• abdominal pain or discomfort
• back pain
• high uric acid levels*
• muscle spasms
• pain in the shoulders, arms, or legs

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Nexletol in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of Nexletol

Nexletol may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Nexletol that occurred in studies include:

• abdominal pain or discomfort
• back pain
• bronchitis (a lung infection)
• high liver enzymes
• muscle spasms
• pain in the shoulders, arms, or legs
• upper respiratory infection, such as cold or flu

Nexletol may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of Nexletol

Nexletol may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Nexletol, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Nexletol.

Serious side effects of Nexletol that occurred in studies include:

• anemia*
• gallstones
• high uric acid levels*
• kidney problems
• severely high liver enzymes
• tendon rupture*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Nexletol in detail” section below.

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Allergic reaction

For some people, Nexletol can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

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 Nexletol, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Common questions about side effects of Nexletol

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Nexletol. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do side effects of Nexletol compare with those seen with statin drugs?

Nexletol has some side effects that are similar to those seen with statin drugs. It also has side effects that are different from statin drugs.

For example, muscle problems and liver problems can happen with Nexletol and statin drugs. Muscle problems with Nexletol include muscle spasms and tendon rupture. Muscle problems with statin drugs can lead to muscle damage and breakdown, which is rare but serious. This can lead to kidney failure and death in rare cases.

Nexletol can cause high uric acid levels, gallstones, and anemia. Statin drugs usually don’t cause these side effects. But statins can cause nausea, constipation, and other digestive symptoms.

You can learn more about how Nexletol compares with statin drugs by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Nexletol cause weight gain or hair loss?

No, weight gain or hair loss aren’t expected side effects of Nexletol. Neither of these two side effects were reported by people taking Nexletol in studies.

If you’re also taking a statin drug, you could experience weight gain or hair loss. These side effects are rare but possible with statin drugs.

If you’re having weight gain or hair loss, tell your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and recommend ways to manage it. Do not stop or change your medications without talking with your doctor first.

Does Nexletol cause long-term side effects?

Long-term side effects aren’t expected with Nexletol. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long-lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.

Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects of Nexletol.

Side effects of Nexletol in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Nexletol.

Anemia

Anemia was common in studies of people taking Nexletol. This side effect may be serious.

With anemia, you don’t have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen. It helps red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to your body’s cells and tissues. In studies of Nexletol, a decrease in hemoglobin was reported in people taking the drug. This led to anemia in some people.

Symptoms of anemia may include:

• dizziness
• feeling cold
• headache
• shortness of breath
• tiredness
• weakness

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of anemia, tell your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and recommend ways to manage it.

High uric acid levels

High uric acid levels were very common in studies of people taking Nexletol. This side effect is usually mild but may be serious in some cases.

High uric acid levels don’t always cause problems. Doctors usually won’t treat high uric acid levels if you aren’t having any symptoms. But high uric acid levels from Nexletol can lead to a gout attack. Gout was common in people taking Nexletol in studies.

Gout is a type of arthritis that’s caused by uric acid crystals in the joints. The big toe is a common joint for gout attacks, but it can affect other joints. Gout in a joint can cause:

• redness
• severe pain
• swelling
• warmth

Having had gout in the past raises your risk of having gout with Nexletol.

Ways to manage

Due to this risk, your doctor may monitor your uric acid levels during Nexletol treatment.

Tell your doctor if you’ve had gout in the past before taking Nexletol. If you experience symptoms of gout, tell your doctor. They may recommend taking medication to lower uric acid levels.

Tendon rupture

Tendon rupture was not common in studies of people taking Nexletol. This side effect may be serious.

Tendons are cords of connective tissue that attach muscles to bones. Tendon ruptures occur when a tendon tears part of the way or all the way. Tendon ruptures with Nexletol can occur at any tendon. In studies, the most common places for a tendon rupture were:

• the rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder
• the biceps tendon in the upper arm
• the Achilles tendon in the back of the ankle

Symptoms of a tendon rupture may include:

• bruising after injuring a tendon
• hearing or feeling a tendon snap or pop
• not being able to move an affected area
• not being able to put weight on a body part supported by the tendon

Certain factors can increase the risk of tendon rupture with Nexletol. These include:

• being age 60 years or older
• having kidney failure
• having previous tendon problems
• taking corticosteroids, such as prednisone, at the same time as Nexletol
• taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), at the same time as Nexletol

Ways to manage

Tell your doctor if you’ve had tendon problems in the past before taking Nexletol. Due to this risk, they may recommend a different treatment instead.

If you experience symptoms of a tendon rupture, stop taking Nexletol and get medical care right away. Do not exercise or use the affected area.

Warnings for Nexletol

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Nexletol.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Nexletol if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Nexletol is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking Nexletol, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• gout
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• tendon problems
• past allergic reaction to Nexletol

Nexletol and pregnancy

Nexletol should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Nexletol.

If you become pregnant while taking Nexletol, doctors usually recommend stopping the drug. Your doctor may also encourage you to call Esperion Therapeutics (the manufacturer of Nexletol) at 833-377-7633 to share information about your health and the health of your baby.

Nexletol and breastfeeding

Nexletol should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Nexletol.

Nexletol and alcohol

Nexletol is not known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Nexletol.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of Nexletol. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is my risk of tendon rupture higher when I first start Nexletol treatment?
• Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
• How do the side effects of Nexletol compare with those of other medications used to treat high cholesterol?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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 another 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.