Alirocumab for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 2)

• Jwa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2020

"Horrible. It has been 6 days since I could function. Severe neck and sinus pain. Arms so tired I can barely lift them. No fever. Bronchial pain and short of breath. Doctor said wait it out. Wait 3 weeks before next dose. There will NOT be another dose."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2016

"Praluent dropped my cholesterol quickly and significantly. Unfortunately, the last 3 injections have been followed within a couple of hours by a rapid, irregular heart rate. Has anyone else experienced this 'side effect'?"

• jhb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2023

"After the second injection, the medicine made sores on my back, which are now scars. At the eighth month, I was developing arm pain and my hands were going numb. At ten months, I lost the ability to perform any physical manual labor, lots of pain in my arms, hands going numb at night, it was worse. I am a hard worker, and I could not pick things up, I had no strength in my hands, severe pain in my arms and hands. I contacted my doctor finally. She did lots of blood work, and everything was okay with that. I was advised there was no explanation for the pain I was going through. I am on no meds other than Praluent. I found an article in the Journal of Neurology Research that described exactly what I was experiencing from what a 57-year-old woman went through and was diagnosed with CIDP as an exclusion diagnosis. Praluent is pure poison for me at least. I have never hurt so badly in my life and just hope there is no permanent damage. I have not taken an injection for 3 weeks now and still hurt with numb hands and arms."

• FtM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2016

"I have experienced debilitating leg pain, brought on by simple walking, and I'm not sure if it's related to Praluent. It began shortly after the first injection and has increased in severity. I have seen many doctors without success."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2021

"Horrendous. I called the FDA. I had side effects of horrendous fatigue, flu-like symptoms, muscles hurt, feel very weak, musculoskeletal issues, burning, bad sinuses, tired, tired, diarrhea after the 4th bi-weekly injection, and insomnia. I was on a great path before this, my diet is good, I was active. Now I can’t do walking and treadmill because I just feel horrible. To walk up stairs, my legs feel so heavy. Would not recommend this to anyone. What’s the point in having great cholesterol numbers if your quality of life is horrible? I’m just waiting for this stuff to leave my system and praying it does no long-term damage."

• CMa...
• February 18, 2020

"I was on a statin for several years, but in 2015 I had to have 2 stents put in. When the cardiologist increased the statin, I had side effects, so I had to stop it. She urged me to try Praluent, saying it had little to no side effects. After 4 doses, I got a UTI that didn't respond to the usual antibiotics, and I ended up in the hospital for stronger antibiotics. Then, a few weeks later, I developed pain in my neck muscles that got so bad it woke me up, I also had pain in my hips and legs. I've been off the medication for 3 weeks, and symptoms have all but disappeared. The only good thing was my collateral went down almost 100 points."

• Unh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2020

"So I have been on Praluent for a month. I was previously on Repatha doing great, however, my insurance doesn't want to pay for that and made me switch. 2nd dose now has UTI, muscle pain, and daily headaches. I go to my doctor in 2 weeks and see if I can go back to Repatha. I thought from the reviews they are the same, however, these side effects are telling otherwise. By the way, both give me a stuffy nose, but I can live with that one. The other side effects were what I had being on statins, and this is the low dose of Praluent."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2016

"So far, this drug is amazing! I did my first injection of 75 mg on 1-6-2016. I had a lipid panel drawn on 1-8-2016 to see what my starting baseline will be. In the 48 hours between the injection and the lipid panel, the results were nothing less than miraculous. My total cholesterol went from 222 to 170, LDL from 152 to 96! I can't wait to see the results at 30 days and on. The self-injection was virtually painless and quick. I didn't even have any injection site reactions like swelling or redness, and I always have those side effects from almost all shots. I'm not on the Praluent payroll, just a 68-year-old man who couldn't take statins and now has a great alternative drug. I hope you have the same results as I have."

• ele...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2021

"My mum (76) took Praluent 75 for some months and in a short time started complaining of elevated BP and feeling of ear pressure, something she never suffered from before. After some months, her total cholesterol showed a marginal reduction (200) but also a CPK elevation (245). Be aware of this drug, it is still quite experimental. Doctors will mostly deny its side effects as do the leaflets, but they are all there! Doctors only care about studies with a control group, but please also listen to the actual experiences from patients!"

• a w...
• January 18, 2016

"After three shots, my cholesterol came down over 100 points to 152, as did my LDL, down over 100 points. But I am not happy with the side effects of sinusitis and now earache. My whole face is throbbing from neck to face. Not sure if the pain in my arm is part of the side effects. I am fearing other side effects noted on the bladder infection. The first three shots were samples; the next will cost me about $50 a shot. Having problems with the prescription... pharmacy is still working with the pharmaceutical company. I will ask to discontinue, even if all other statins have not helped. I am a 79-year-old female."

• Fri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 24, 2018

"Dramatic reduction in total cholesterol after about 1.5 years. 62-year-old female. Went from 250 down to now 107. Have gradually been getting more and more fatigued, weaker, and now to the point I can't do my walks. Going to call cardiologist after the holidays. This is how I felt on statins after just a few days. I'm disappointed. Very easy to use med."

• RSU...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2018

"Started Praluent 9/2015. Began cough/cold symptoms 1/2016. Injection every 2 wks. Symptoms got worse each time the med was injected. 7/2016 informed my Dr. who said symptoms were unrelated. Between 8/2016 and 1/2017 went to the ER 5 times and spent 20 days in the hospital. Bronchitis and autoimmune reaction. The med reduced LDL and destroyed my immune system. Had to receive infusion and still have very low IGG. Once I stopped it, took all of 2017 to start feeling a little better. Reported reaction to mfg and FDA. Thinking about seeking litigation advice."

• EDB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2017

"I posted here in Aug, stating that due to pain in my legs, fatigue, backache, etc., I had stopped this med. On a recheck with doc in Sept, I found that my chol had risen to 410! So rebound was terrible; double what it was pre-Praluent! I am now back on 75 mg and will be rechecked in Dec. I am already experiencing nasal/mucous issues and some back pain and fatigue, although not as bad as when on 150 mg. What I'm wondering is if anyone out there knows if this can cause long-term severe problems, and has anyone talked to their doc about these side effects? If so, what were their comments, please?"

• Mar...
• June 10, 2023

"This medication (Praluent) sent me to the hospital for three and a half days with pneumonia and UTI. After injecting the second dose, I felt like I had injected poison into my body. The body pain and cramping were horrible, and there will be no third injection EVER."

• lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2017

"I had no luck with statins, the doctor put me on Praluent (3.5 mo.). I have had 1 heart attack resulting in 1 stent before I started Praluent. I also have torticollis in my neck and bulging discs in my back, which I am treated for, but since I started Praluent, it seems like my symptoms are worse. My neck, back, and legs hurt. 2 weeks ago, I thought I was having another heart attack, went to the hospital ER, pain eased, and the EKG came back normal, possible side effect? I am thinking about taking myself off Praluent, I am tired of feeling like garbage. I'm a 67-year-old male."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2021

"Just discovered this site, and reading through some of the reviews, I now realize that I am not alone with all my negative thoughts about taking Praluent. I had heart bypass on April 2, 2020, and have been injecting Praluent for the last 4-5 months. I have just had blood taken by doctors to find out what is wrong with me, I get results next week, and it is my intention to stop taking it immediately. I do not recommend Praluent to anyone. Best to overhaul diet if needed, but do not take this drug. I have multiple issues with it. Everyone, please stop taking this drug, it is not safe. It might reduce your cholesterol, but at what cost to your general health? Stop eating red meat, fats, sugars, carbs, cakes, etc., etc. Instead, take care. Allan, Scotland (54 yrs)"

• Neu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2019

"3rd month at 150 mg/month to 300 mg/month. Some side effects: sore muscles, joints for a day or two. Nothing too bad. See what happens after the increase. When on statins, there is no sore muscles, joints for a day or two, it's all the time. This drug is much better. Going to once-a-month dosing, so am only sore or sick 2 or 3 days out of the month. Not a bad trade-off if you ask me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2022

"Like so many other patients, I had unfortunate side effects too. Muscle pain, legs, arms, even feet and neck pain. Worst, my hands are really hurting me, getting cramps, especially at night, no way to sleep properly. I just took medication for only 3 months. Right now, I am taking nothing to get rid of all these side effects. I hope it will be better, I don't know what will come next. After all these readings, I get the idea that all the patients using these drugs are 'guinea pigs' to try out this medication. It is very expensive and costs the health system a lot of money. Why is this drug still on the market? I feel for anyone of you out there and hope one day you will be pain-free again."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

"Had my first heart attack at 41 years old, had 4 more, ended up with 2 open-heart bypass surgeries. My cholesterol was off the chart, 80 mg of statins did little to nothing. Repatha was prescribed, 4 days after the first injection, I was bedridden for 5 days, hands, hips, neck, shoulder, lower back, and knees all frozen. I couldn’t move without pain. Was switched to Praluent and worse effects. I’ve been in construction for 40 years, and now I can’t provide for my family. But my numbers have never been better, but I will never inject again."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2020

"I'm a 73-year-old man. I had a heart attack 3 years ago, at which time my LDL was 250 mg. My cardio doctor put me on 40 milligrams of Atorvastatin (Lipitor) daily, which lowered my LDL down to 125 mg, which was not low enough. He started me on Praluent 75 mg, painless injections in my upper legs once every two weeks that lowered my LDL to a very low 25 mg after taking it for only two months with no side effects. I hope the price doesn't skyrocket so I can continue taking it 'til I die someday. I never thought I would get my LDL down to 25. It's unbelievable. I hope it keeps me from having another painful heart attack. I'm told that Repatha and Praluent are about the same medicine."

• Nag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2016

"Praluent was working great for the past 9 months without any side effects, but during the last 3 weeks, I started to have the symptoms of arthritis, which is some pain in the joints. It improves some when I walk. I hope these symptoms will not further increase. Will update you in another 2-3 weeks."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2019

"66 yrs old, female, active tennis and daily walking; diagnosed heart disease but no symptoms. Can’t tolerate statins due to fatigue, memory, muscle issues. I’m on the bimonthly 75 mg Praluent for the last three months. The shot is a sharp sting. The first week my legs ached really badly for 3 nights, couldn’t sleep, but that has diminished. Now, after the shot, by the 3rd day my legs are tired at night, but it’s livable. My chol numbers dropped dramatically from 350 (with HDL at only 50 a year ago). Now HDL is 127 and LDL is 60! Got much lower and it reversed. Great ratio. BUT liver enzymes are way up AST (was 26 to 130 now) and ASL up! But I had just returned from a cruise of heavy eating and drinking. So, now I cut out my nightly glass of wine completely, and will get a new blood test in a month."

• PEa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2020

"I started taking Praluent in January 2020. A few weeks in, I had an awful UTI. Never, ever had one before. It was miserable. Then, six weeks later, I had another UTI. The only thing new was the Praluent. I started looking into the side effects and saw that it was a highlighted side effect. As I read more on this drug, I saw it may be causing the fatigue and pain in my lower back and pelvic area. I told my doctor I wasn’t going to continue. This was a last option, as I have severe side effects from everything else we have tried. I did have blood work the other day, and my numbers were lower, but triglycerides were still high."

• JJ2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2018

"I have been on this drug for 3 months. Every time I inject---for 36 hours I get leg pain and hand cramps and feel very tired. I am unable to sleep due to the leg pain, and both hands have severe spasms. Joints seem to be getting worse with movement in tennis and pickleball. I am going to see my doctor and stop this medication. I will have to do diet alone because all statins cause body spasms and cramps."

• che...
• October 26, 2015

"I have more frequent bowel movements but not diarrhea. My total cholesterol fell from 365 to 174. My HDL only decreased minimally from 42 to 37. My most interesting side effect is that I have had a tremendous increase in libido. I'm on testosterone replacement and about 8 meds for my heart disease and had minimal to moderate sex drive for about 5 years. There have been no changes in my meds or anything else except for the addition of Praluent. I am a 65-year-old male."