Leqvio (inclisiran) is an injectable medication used to treat high cholesterol in adults. It's used together with a statin and with a heart-healthy diet. Leqvio (inclisiran) works as a small interfering RNA (siRNA) to help lower cholesterol. It's given as an injection under your skin and it must be given by a healthcare professional. After the first two starter doses, the injection is given twice a year. Side effects aren't common. But they can include joint pain and reactions at the injection site like pain and redness.
High cholesterol, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), in adults - as an add-on to a heart-healthy diet and statin therapy
Leqvio (inclisiran) belongs to the drug class called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Once injected, the medication gets absorbed into your liver. In the liver cells, the medication works to break down the gene that helps make a protein called PCSK9. Normally, PCSK9 helps adjust the amount of cholesterol in your body.
By breaking down this gene, Leqvio (inclisiran) stops your liver from making PCSK9. It helps your liver get rid of more "bad" cholesterol (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein) from your blood.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Helps lower "bad" cholesterol by about 50% when used with a statin
Given twice a year (after two starter doses)
Few side effects
Must be given as an injection under the skin by a healthcare professional at their clinic
Must be used with statin therapy
Doesn't replace having a balanced diet and regular exercise plan to help lower cholesterol levels
Write down your appointments for Leqvio (inclisiran) on your calendar. This will help you remember when to get your injections and not miss any doses.
If you miss an appointment by less than 3 months, call the medical office to reschedule and get Leqvio (inclisiran) as soon as possible. Afterwards, you can continue your usual dosing schedule. But if you miss your appointment by more than 3 months, you'll have to restart a new dosing schedule. This means taking the medication every 3 months for 2 doses, and then every 6 months after that.
During your appointment, a healthcare professional will give you your Leqvio (inclisiran) injection under your skin. They'll pick a spot on your stomach, upper arm, or thigh. They'll be careful not to give the injection where your skin is damaged to prevent irritation. This includes areas with sunburns, inflammation, infection, or rash.
Sometimes, the area where you got your Leqvio (inclisiran) injection can hurt or get red a few hours afterwards. These injection site reactions should go away on their own after a day or two. But in the meantime, you can use a cold pack to help. Tell your care team if these reactions get worse or don't go away after a couple days.
Be sure you get any blood work that your prescriber asks for while you're taking Leqvio (inclisiran). This helps them check your cholesterol levels. They want to make sure your treatment plan is working well for you.
Keep following a heart-healthy diet and get enough exercise while taking Leqvio (inclisiran). Eating healthy and exercising will also help lower your cholesterol levels.
The medication is given as an injection under the skin by a healthcare professional. It's injected into your stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
The typical dose is 284 mg injected under the skin every 3 months for 2 doses, then every 6 months after that.
High cholesterol, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), in adults - as an add-on to a heart-healthy diet and statin therapy
High cholesterol in adults
Inherited condition causing extremely high cholesterol (heterozygous and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia) in people aged 10 years and older
Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for heart procedures (like stent placement) in adults with known heart disease
Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and hospitalization for chest pain (angina) in adults with heart disease
High cholesterol (including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)) in adults, alone or with diet and other cholesterol-lowering medications
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in adults, along with other cholesterol-lowering medications
Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in children ages 8 and older, along with diet and other cholesterol-lowering medications
By providing your email, you consent to receive marketing communications from GoodRx, which may include content and/or data related to men’s health, women's health, reproductive care, or sexual health. You agree to the GoodRx Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Dana, H., et al. (2017). Molecular mechanisms and biological functions of siRNA. International Journal of Biomedical Science.
McGowan, M. P., et al. (2019). Diagnosis and treatment of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Journal of the American Heart Association.
Merćep, I., et al. (2022). Advantages and disadvantages of inclisiran: A small interfering ribonucleic acid molecule targeting PCSK9-A narrative review. Cardiovascular Therapeutics.
National Human Genome Research Institute. (2025). Gene.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. (2025). Leqvio- inclisiran injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Ray, K. K., et al. (2020). Two phase 3 trials of inclisiran in patients with elevated LDL cholesterol. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Ray, K. K., et al. (2023). Long-term efficacy and safety of inclisiran in patients with high cardiovascular risk and elevated LDL cholesterol (ORION-3): Results from the 4-year open-label extension of the ORION-1 trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Shapiro, M. D., et al. (2018). PCSK9: From basic science discoveries to clinical trials. Circulation Research.
Sugiyama, T., et al. (2014). Different time trends of caloric and fat intake between statin users and nonusers among US adults: Gluttony in the time of statins? Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine.
Taub, P. R., et al. (2025). Safety and lipid-lowering efficacy of inclisiran monotherapy in patients without ASCVD: The VICTORION-Mono randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.