One type of cholesterol drug makes the body produce more of a protein called PCSK9, while another type actually reduces it — so they work in opposite ways even though they target the same thing.

Inclisiran is a type of medicine that helps lower bad cholesterol by turning down a protein in the liver. It works longer than some other cholesterol drugs, so you don’t need to take it as often.

Two newer cholesterol drugs, when added to the strongest statins, can cut bad cholesterol by another half — helping high-risk patients get their levels down to what doctors recommend.