Inclisiran
Generic name: inclisiran [ IN-kli-SIR-an ]
Brand name: Leqvio
Dosage form: subcutaneous solution (284 mg/1.5 mL)
Drug class: Miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
What is inclisiran?
Inclisiran works by helping the liver reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) circulating in your blood.
Inclisiran is used together with a low-fat diet and other cholesterol-lowering medications in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (inherited types of high cholesterol). These conditions can cause high blood levels of LDL cholesterol, and can also cause plaque to build up inside your arteries.
Inclisiran is also used in adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) needing additional lowering of LDL cholesterol.
Inclisiran may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Inclisiran side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, severe itching; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Inclisiran may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
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pain and burning when you urinate.
Common side effects of inclisiran may include:
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redness, pain, or bruising where an injection was given;
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pain in your legs and arms;
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breathing problems, bronchitis;
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joint pain; or
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pain and burning when you urinate.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
Before taking this medicine
Tell your doctor if you have:
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end-stage kidney disease or severe liver disease.
May harm an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using inclisiran. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How is this drug given?
Inclisiran is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
You should not stop using inclisiran without your doctor's advice, or your LDL cholesterol levels may increase.
Inclisiran is only part of a complete treatment program that also includes diet, statin medication, and regular blood testing. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Inclisiran dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipidemia:
Initial dose: 284 mg subcutaneously once, and repeat in 3 months
Maintenance dose (after initial dose): 284 mg subcutaneously every 6 months
Comments:
-Limitations of Use: The effect of this drug on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been established.
-Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol should be assessed when clinically indicated; the LDL-lowering effect of this drug may be measured as soon as 30 days after start and anytime thereafter without regard to the timing of the dose.
Use: As an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy for the treatment of patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, who require additional lowering of LDL cholesterol
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your inclisiran injection.
What happens if I overdose?
In a medical setting an overdose would be treated quickly.
What should I avoid while receiving inclisiran?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What other drugs will affect inclisiran?
Other drugs may affect inclisiran, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Popular FAQ
Leqvio and Repatha are both injectable medicines that are used for the treatment of high cholesterol, by specifically lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Although they both inhibit PCSK9 they work by different mechanisms. Repatha is a monoclonal antibody that binds directly to PCSK9 in the liver preventing it from binding to LDL receptors. Leqvio blocks the PCSK9 protein by interfering with the translation of PCSK9 messenger RNA. Both have the same result – and that is freeing up LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells which allows LDL cholesterol to be removed from the blood. Continue reading
Leqvio may be used alone or with other medications, such as statins, to treat high cholesterol, in addition to a heart-healthy diet. But it can be prescribed without a statin if statins are not tolerated or contraindicated. Continue reading
Weight gain is not reported as a side effect of Leqvio in the product information and neither does it seem to be a topic of discussion on blog sites. Weight gain has also not been reported with other PCSK9 inhibitors, such as Repatha. Continue reading
Leqvio is administered subcutaneously, which means just under the skin. Your healthcare provider will sit or lie you down and then inject Leqvio just under the skin of your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. This may cause slight pain and redness around the site of the injection. You cannot administer Leqvio yourself. Continue reading
Leqvio works by blocking production of the PCSK9 protein which means more LDL receptors are present on liver cells which increases the uptake of LDL cholesterol and lowers LDL cholesterol in the blood, reducing cholesterol levels. Continue reading
Leqvio is FDA approved as a high-cholesterol treatment and it specifically lowers LDL cholesterol levels (sometimes referred to as "bad" cholesterol. It is approved for people with atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a build-up of fatty plaques) or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic condition that causes high levels of LDL cholesterol). Leqvio may be prescribed alone or in addition to statins or other cholesterol-lowering medications. Continue reading
The actor in the Leqvio commercial "Forging on" is Robert Leardi an actor who was born in Southington, Connecticut, USA on 4 November 1961. He has also played Lt. Schrank in the 2008 production of West Side Story in London’s West End and performed in several TV series such as The Thing (2012) and Ladies Revenge Club (2014). Continue reading
You can find the Leqvio FDA package insert on the FDA Access Data website, or read the prescribing information for Leqvio that has been published by Drugs.com which is derived from the product information. Continue reading
More FAQ
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- Drug class: miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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