Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the thumbs up to a new cholesterol drug from Abbott Laboratories, Trilipix.

The new cholesterol drug has been approved in the form of delayed-release capsules, and is the successor to their TriCor drug.

The TriCor drug from Abbott took in nearly $900 million in sales in the first 5 months of 2008 alone, but is facing competition from generics.

The FDA has approved Trilipix to help lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides.

It is effective whether it is used alone, or in combination with a statin.