Washington – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first oral medication that can significantly lower cholesterol through a mechanism previously available only via injectable drugs. The Merck drug received approval Thursday for patients with high cholesterol linked to atherosclerosis, especially those whose cholesterol levels do not drop enough despite using statins—the most common medicine used to reduce heart attack risk.

The new medication will be sold under the brand name “Livmarli.” It is the first oral treatment to target the PCSK9 protein in the liver. This protein reduces the body’s ability to clear cholesterol from the blood.

For over a decade, similar biological drugs that target PCSK9 have been available by injection, produced by companies such as Amgen and others. However, their use has faced challenges because of high costs, insurance coverage restrictions, and limited prescriptions by doctors.

The new drug is expected to provide an additional treatment option for patients needing greater cholesterol reduction, especially those who do not achieve adequate results with traditional therapies.