Praluent
Praluent (alirocumab), is a PCSK9 inhibitor used to treat high cholesterol in certain adults and children, including those with a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia. The medication also helps lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and hospitalization for chest pain in adults with heart disease. Praluent (alirocumab) is injected under the skin in the thigh, stomach, or upper arm every 2 weeks or 4 weeks, depending on your dose. Common side effects include injection-site reactions, flu or flu-like symptoms (e.g. sneezing, coughing, runny nose), and diarrhea.
What is Praluent (alirocumab)?
What is Praluent (alirocumab) used for?
- 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
How Praluent (alirocumab) works
Praluent (alirocumab) is a PCSK9 inhibitor, which means it blocks a protein called PCSK9. Normally, PCSK9 prevents the liver from removing LDL cholesterol from the blood. By blocking PCSK9, Praluent (alirocumab) helps your body clear out more LDL cholesterol, leading to lower cholesterol levels.
Drug facts
More on Praluent (alirocumab) essentials
Side effects of Praluent (alirocumab)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Injection-site reactions (7%)
- Flu or flu-like symptoms (6%)
- Diarrhea (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Muscle pain
- Muscle spasms
- Bruise
Praluent (alirocumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, rash, hives, itching
The following Praluent (alirocumab) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Flu-like symptoms—fever, chills, muscle pain, cough, headache, fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Muscle spasms
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
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Pros and cons of Praluent (alirocumab)
Pros
- Lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol by about 50% to 60%
- Reduces the risk of heart problems in adults with heart disease
- Used alone or with other cholesterol-lowering medications
- Given either every 2 or 4 weeks
Cons
- Must be injected under the skin
- Side effects include injection-site reactions, flu, and diarrhea
- Potential for serious allergic reactions
- Not known if safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Praluent (alirocumab)
- Mark your calendar for prescriber visits and blood tests while taking Praluent (alirocumab). Your prescriber will check your cholesterol levels and might adjust your dose based on your lab results.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet low in fat and exercise regularly while taking Praluent (alirocumab). Doing so will help you get the most benefit out of the medication.
- Praluent (alirocumab) can cause serious allergic reactions, like swelling of the face, lips, or throat. Stop using it and get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or a severe rash.
- It's not fully known if Praluent (alirocumab) is safe in pregnancy. Animal studies show no harm, but discuss to your prescriber about the risks and benefits.
- Though likely safe, Praluent (alirocumab) while breastfeeding isn't well studied. Talk to your prescriber or OB-GYN provider, especially if you're nursing a newborn or premature baby.
- Store Praluent (alirocumab) in the refrigerator and its original carton to protect it from light. It can also be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days.
Tips for what to do if you miss a dose:
- If you miss a dose and it's been 7 days or less, take Praluent (alirocumab) as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule.
- If more than 7 days have passed and you inject Praluent (alirocumab) every 2 weeks, skip the missed dose and and take your next dose at the usual time.
- If more than 7 days have passed and you inject Praluent (alirocumab) every 4 weeks, give yourself a dose and start a new schedule from this date.
How to use Praluent (alirocumab):
- Make sure you know how to use Praluent (alirocumab). Watch this instructional video and read the instructions for use for the 75 mg pen or 150 mg pen and contact a member of your care team if you have any questions.
- Check your medication strength: Praluent (alirocumab)] comes in 75 mg/mL and 150 mg/mL. If your dose is 300 mg, you’ll need two injections using different sites.
- When it's time for a dose, take the pen out of the refrigerator and let it warm to room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes. Don't warm it up in the microwave, sun, or hot water since it can damage the medication.
- Pick an injection site (thigh, stomach, or upper arm) and clean it with an alcohol wipe. Be sure to rotate injection sites with each dose to avoid irritation. Don't inject into tender, bruised, hard, or red skin, or areas with visible veins, scars, or stretch marks.
- Inject at a 90° angle by pressing the yellow safety cover onto your skin until it's no longer visible. Once you hear a click, hold the pen in place until the dose window turns yellow, which can take about 20 seconds.
- Throw away used needles pens in a sharps container or a sturdy plastic container, such as an empty milk carton or laundry detergent bottle. Don't throw them away in your trash can.
Common questions about Praluent (alirocumab)
No, Praluent (alirocumab) isn't a statin, it's a PCSK9 inhibitor. Both statins and PCSK9 inhibitors work differently to lower cholesterol. Statins reduce how much cholesterol your body makes, whereas PCSK9 inhibitors, like Praluent (alirocumab), help your body remove more cholesterol from the blood. Some people might need to take both a statin and a PCSK9 inhibitor to better control their cholesterol levels.
Praluent (alirocumab) and Repatha (evolocumab) are both PCSK9 inhibitors that help lower cholesterol. They are both injected under the skin either every 2 or 4 weeks, and studies show they are similar in how well they work and safety. One key difference is their FDA-approved age cut-offs. For HoFH, Praluent (alirocumab) is approved for adults, while Repatha (evolocumab) can be used in adults and children ages 10 and older. For HeFH, Praluent (alirocumab) is approved for children ages 8 and older, while Repatha (evolocumab) is approved for people ages 10 and older. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about comparing these medications.
It's not completely clear if Praluent (alirocumab) raises blood sugar since study results are mixed. While some studies show Praluent (alirocumab) doesn't raise blood sugar or A1c, other data suggests it might slightly raise blood sugar. If you have diabetes or concerns about blood sugar control, talk to a healthcare professional to see how Praluent (alirocumab) fits into your treatment plan.
Hair loss wasn't reported as a side effect in clinical studies of Praluent (alirocumab). Contact your prescriber if you notice hair loss, hair shedding, or hair thinning while you're taking this medication. They can help figure out possible causes and discuss potential solutions.
It takes about 2 to 3 months for most of Praluent (alirocumab) to leave your body after a single dose. This estimate is based on the half-life, which measures how long a medication stays in your system. Even though Praluent (alirocumab) remains in your body for months, it should be taken every 2 or 4 weeks to keep the medication levels high enough in your body for it to work well to lower cholesterol.
It's best to take Praluent (alirocumab) on schedule, either every 2 weeks or 4 weeks as prescribed. But occasionally taking it a day early is unlikely to be harmful. Staying as close to your regular schedule as possible helps keep your cholesterol levels stable. If you’re unsure or need to adjust your schedule, talk to your prescriber for guidance.
Praluent (alirocumab) should be stored in the refrigerator. But it also can be kept at room temperature (up to 77°F) in the original carton for up to 30 days. If the medication isn't used within 30 days, it should be thrown away.
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Risks and warnings for Praluent (alirocumab)
Praluent (alirocumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious allergic reaction
Praluent (alirocumab) can cause serious allergic reactions, including life-threatening ones like anaphylaxis. Symptoms include rash, itching, hives, facial swelling, and trouble breathing. If you experience any signs of a serious allergic reaction, stop using the medication immediately and get medical help right away.
Praluent (alirocumab) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 pens of 75mg/ml | 1 carton | $510.70 | $510.70 |
| 2 pens of 150mg/ml | 1 carton | $453.36 | $453.36 |
| 1 pen of 75mg/ml | 1 carton | $264.11 | $264.11 |
| 1 pen of 150mg/ml | 1 carton | $232.63 | $232.63 |
Typical dosage for Praluent (alirocumab)
Praluent (alirocumab) is given as an injection under the skin in the thigh, stomach, or upper arm.
-
Adults:
- High cholesterol or HeFH: The typical starting dose is 75 mg every 2 weeks or 300 mg every 4 weeks. If your LDL is still high, your prescriber might raise your dose to 150 mg every 2 weeks
- HeFH and undergoing LDL apheresis or HoFH: The typical dose is 150 mg every 2 weeks.
-
Children ages 8 and older with HeFH:
- Weigh less than 110 lbs (50 kg): The typical dose is 150 mg every 4 weeks. If your child's LDL is still high, their prescriber might change the dose to 75 mg every 2 weeks.
- Weigh 110 lbs (50 kg) or more: The typical dose is 300 mg every 4 weeks. If your child's LDL is still high, their prescriber might change the dose to 150 mg every 2 weeks.
How much does Praluent (alirocumab) cost?
$232.63
What are alternatives to Praluent (alirocumab)?
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