The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: A new experimental pill called **enlicitide** may soon change how doctors treat high cholesterol. In a major clinical trial, this once-daily pill lowered levels of LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol by **almost 60%**, a reduction similar to today’s powerful injectable PCSK9 drugs but in an easy-to-take oral form.[5][8] Enlicitide belongs to a newer class of medicines known as **oral PCSK9 inhibitors**, designed to block a liver protein (PCSK9) that raises LDL levels.[1][5] In the phase 3 CORALreef trials, people with high cholesterol or inherited cholesterol disorders who took enlicitide saw LDL levels drop by about **56–60% at 24 weeks** compared with placebo, and the effect was sustained at around **50–60% at one year**.[1][2][4][5] Researchers also reported improvements in other heart-risk markers, including **non-HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a)**, which are all linked to artery-clogging plaque.[1][4][7] Importantly, enlicitide’s **side effect profile looked similar to placebo**, with no major safety signals and low rates of people stopping the drug because of adverse events.[1][4][7] Because many patients either cannot tolerate statins or do not get enough LDL lowering from them alone, an effective pill like enlicitide could offer a more convenient alternative to injections and help more people reach aggressive cholesterol targets.[1][5][8] The drug is still **investigational**, and large ongoing outcome trials are now examining whether its LDL-lowering power will translate into fewer heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths over time.[1][3][6][8] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9