Alirocumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Dec 23, 2022.

Applies to alirocumab: subcutaneous solution.

Serious side effects of alirocumab

Along with its needed effects, alirocumab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking alirocumab:

More common

• chest pain or tightness
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• hives, itching, skin rash
• hoarseness
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• nausea
• reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
• swelling of eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• cough producing mucus

Incidence not known

• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs

Other side effects of alirocumab

Some side effects of alirocumab may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches, cramps, stiffness, or pains
• shivering
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

Less common

• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• bone pain
• bruise
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with moving
• frequent urge to urinate
• lower back or side pain
• muscle spasms
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

For healthcare professionals

Applies to alirocumab: subcutaneous solution.

General

The most commonly reported adverse reactions have included nasopharyngitis, injection site reactions, and influenza.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reaction, nummular eczema, hypersensitivity vasculitis
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (11.3%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza, bronchitis, sinusitis, cough^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Elevated liver enzymes^[Ref]

During clinical trials, 2.5% of patients treated with this drug reported abnormal liver enzymes (placebo=1.8%); treatment discontinuation occurred in 0.4% and 0.2% of patients receiving this drug and placebo, respectively. Increases in serum transaminases to greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal occurred in 1.7% of patients treated with this drug (placebo=1.4%).^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Development of antidrug antibody (ADA), neutralizing antibodies (NAb)
• Postmarketing reports: Flu-like illness^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reaction (erythema, redness, itching, swelling, pain, tenderness)^[Ref]

Patients who developed ADA (antidrug antibody) had a higher incidence of injection site reactions compared with patients who did not develop ADA (10.2% vs 5.9%).^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia, muscle spasm, contusion, musculoskeletal pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Neurocognitive events, confusion or memory impairment^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Low LDL-C values

During clinical trials with both every 2 week or every 4 week dosing, reports of 2 consecutive calculated LDL-C values less than 25 mg/dL, and less than 15 mg/dL were reported in 914 and 335 patients, respectively. Low LDL-C values were observed more frequently in patients treated with 150 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks. Changes to background lipid therapy was not made and adverse consequences were not identified, but the long-term effects of very low levels of LDL-C are not known.

Frequently asked questions

• Praluent vs Repatha: What's the difference?
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Further information

Alirocumab side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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