alirocumab vs bempedoic acid

PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.

Side-by-side comparison of alirocumab and bempedoic acid. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
alirocumab PCSK9 Inhibitor
bempedoic acid ACL Inhibitor
Type
alirocumab Prescription
bempedoic acid Prescription
Summary
alirocumab

Praluent is a medicine that can lower cholesterol. It can also lower the risk of heart problems like heart attack or stroke in some adults.

bempedoic acid

No summary available.

What It Treats
alirocumab

Praluent is used to lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). It is used along with diet and exercise in adults with high cholesterol. It is also used in adults and children 8 years and older who have a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol.

bempedoic acid

Information not available.

How It Works
alirocumab

Praluent is a PCSK9 inhibitor. It works by blocking a protein in your body called PCSK9. Blocking this protein helps your body remove LDL cholesterol from your blood.

bempedoic acid

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
alirocumab
  • Injection site reactions (redness, itching, swelling, pain)
  • Flu
  • Muscle pain
  • Diarrhea
bempedoic acid
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Muscle spasms
  • High uric acid levels in the blood
  • Back pain
  • Stomach pain or discomfort
FAERS Reports
alirocumab
  • Myalgia 1,655
  • Product Dose Omission 1,364
  • Injection Site Pain 1,278
  • Muscle Spasms 1,162
  • Arthralgia 1,053
bempedoic acid
  • Myalgia 335
  • Arthralgia 214
  • Muscle Spasms 153
  • Pain In Extremity 135
  • Nausea 130
Serious Warnings
alirocumab

Serious allergic reactions have happened with Praluent, sometimes requiring hospitalization. If you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, stop using Praluent and get medical help right away.

bempedoic acid

No specific warnings noted.

Pregnancy
alirocumab

There is not enough information about Praluent use during pregnancy to know if it is safe. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before using Praluent.

bempedoic acid

No pregnancy information available.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

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How to Read This alirocumab vs bempedoic acid Comparison

alirocumab is classified in the PCSK9 Inhibitor drug class, while bempedoic acid sits within the ACL Inhibitor class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, alirocumab has 6,512 submissions while bempedoic acid has 967. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for alirocumab or bempedoic acid.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.