Alirocumab for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 5)

• Sky...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2021

"A female, 60+, I started Praluent injections (150 mg twice a month) in December 2020. At that time, I had a history of normal blood pressure. After 2 months on Praluent, my LDL dropped to 33, however, I began getting rashes, hip and back pain, my feet felt numb and tingly, and my blood pressure increased. I asked my doctor to reduce the dose to 75 mg twice a month. I have now been on it for almost 8 months, and my blood pressure has steadily increased. I am now on BP medication for hypertension. This drug is outstanding for reducing familial high cholesterol, but in my case, the side effects frighten me. I will stick with a statin."

• DG9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2022

"Miracle drug for me! I am 26 and had very high cholesterol (309 mg/dl total cholesterol). My cardiologist did not want me to go on statins, so instead prescribed this drug. I was prescribed it in November and have been giving myself 2 monthly doses since then. I just got my blood work back and my total cholesterol was 180 and my HDLs were up and LDLs were down. I give myself the injection in my thigh and have no issues. Slight soreness at the injection site, but that is it."

• JRC...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 5, 2024

"I am male, 65 years old, in good shape, fairly active (just had a great stress test), and have survived for 15 years since an emergency quadruple bypass. I have been using Praluent for five years or more at the suggestion of my cardiologist (150mg/mL injection twice a month). It was prescribed because all other medications (mostly various statins) had little to no effect on my cholesterol levels, something all my family members struggle with (however, I am the only one with any heart issues - lucky me). Honestly, and I do feel really bad for the folks who report negative outcomes and symptoms here, but it nearly immediately made a huge difference in my total cholesterol, HDL/LDL, and triglyceride levels, which are stellar then and now. I can also honestly say that I have had absolutely no side effects even though I was prone to some bad ones when on various statins (muscle pain, headaches, etc.). I don't even mind the injectable application as it is a minor inconvenience."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2023

"Fantastic results! After 6 months of use, my LDL went from 97 to 14. My HDL went from 42 to 54, even my triglycerides went to 86 from 138. Sorry to see all those reviews of bad reactions, but for me, it was well above my expectations."

• Und...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 24, 2021

"I’ve been using Praluent for approx. a year. I’ve experienced leg pain, at the most. My cholesterol was 500 plus. This medicine has dropped it to 271! I know that’s still extremely high, but it lowered it extremely! I haven’t noticed runny nose, nausea, constipation, excessive heart rate, or increase in blood pressure with this medicine. Reading the reviews has answered my questions about the leg and back pain I’m experiencing. I also have headaches, I feel come from this medicine. I just hope and pray one day we all will find the miracle cure! Until then, stay healthy and happy!❤️❤️❤️"

• Lad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 12, 2018

"My cholesterol was higher 5 for years when it should have been under 5 to be normal. Unable to take statins, it was 7.4 when I started on Praluent. Nine months later, my cholesterol was down to 4.53, and no noticeable side effects. I have always been prone to sinus infections, but the number of incidences or severity has not increased."

• mk3...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2018

"I am getting no side effects from Praluent 75 mg after 7 injections, 2 months' time. I had to stop taking Rosuvastatin 40 mg due to stabbing back muscle pain. My doc switched me to Lipitor statin 10 mg every other day. So far, no side effects. My latest LDL test was 30. A year ago, my LDL was 210."

• In...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2021

"My 46-year-old brother took one injection and had a massive heart attack less than 24 hours after the injection. If you have had a heart attack in the past or bypass, or your heart is in any way compromised, don't use this. It is bad, and nothing is being done about it or will be done until more people come forward and question this drug."

• ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2022

"I've had multiple TIA strokes. GP needed to get my bad cholesterol down from 8.6. My family reacts poorly to statins. My cardiologist put me on Praluent, cholesterol is just at a safe level. My dose is 75 mg every two weeks. The only noticeable side effect was calf cramps, which wake me up, treated with magnesium glycinate. The cardiologist wanted me at a lower bad cholesterol. I am now on 150 mg every two weeks. My calf cramps have returned at night, but I have developed a dry cough. My myotherapist said my neck muscles are very tight. Hoping the cough eases off. Used Epsom salt foot bath, this has eased the cramp as I didn't want to take more magnesium by mouth. I'll let you know the outcome of the higher dose after I see the cardiologist. I need to drink much more water to keep my blood pressure normal. Cheers."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2022

"I have been taking Praluent for 7 months and was very reluctant to try it based on the negative reviews, and I typically have side effects with medication. I am still struggling to find a blood pressure medication with no side effects. I finally decided to try the Praluent when my cardiologist finally said you need to take something - you cannot do nothing. If you cannot tolerate statins, you have a high calcium score, and heart disease in your family, it’s time to at least try the drug. To my surprise, side effects have been very minimal, just a little weak the day after the shot, all worth getting my LDL down to 29 with total cholesterol under 100. I hope it lasts. I wish all those who struggle with the decision to try that my experience may be helpful. I do not dismiss the negative reviews, but I thought I should share my positive experience."

• M09...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2024

"I've been on Praluent for several years now. My LDL is 53 and my HDL is about 75. I have lipid profile issues and atherosclerosis. My last heart attack was 7 years ago. My blood pressure is under good control. I have a solitary kidney due to atherosclerosis. The other kidney was blocked and is not functioning now. The remaining kidney is also blocked, but after 9 years, I'm happy."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

"After experiencing a major heart attack and placement of a stent in my 'widow maker' artery, I was given a statin to reduce my LDL (it was at 112), so it was not a high dose. This caused pain in my wrist in a matter of hours. This moved to my hips, and after I was released and able to walk around, it moved to my right hip and thigh. I could hardly walk. I discontinued and felt better the next day. I waited 2 weeks for insurance to approve Praluent 75 mg. I felt great in between meds. I had no problems with the injection, but in 12 hours, my right wrist started to hurt, and in 24 hours, I was in a brace for 4 days. In the meantime, my right lower shin began to hurt. Lower than a shin splint. Weird, like I had a popsicle stick glued to me. Pain under the skin, numbness on the skin, swelling. I am 61, have a physical job, good BMI. I am sensitive to medications. I usually require low doses, or the medication doesn't work at any dose. 2 different statins were awful for me. It just doesn't work for me."

• 58y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2023

"Started taking Praluent 150 mg shot for high cholesterol one day ago. I immediately noticed changes in blood sugar levels. Elevated levels even after 4 hours of eating a meal, my blood sugar is at 153. I'm pre-diabetic, so I watch what I eat, my normal is around 89-110 within 3 hours after a meal. I will update you as I continue to monitor the effects of this drug."

• Mor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 23, 2021

"I am 75 years old, vegetarian, weighing 130 lb. After a total hysterectomy at age 32, I developed high cholesterol. I was placed on Vytorin, which barely worked for me. After many years, I became allergic to Vytorin, so I had to stop it. Years later, I had triple bypass and was placed on Praluent. The first time my cholesterol plummeted to 130. I had congestion and a feeling like I had something in my throat that forced me to swallow frequently, but I continued it for 2 years. Congestion and swallowing stopped, so I was happy. Well, last year I woke up in the morning with severe pain in my left knee, no ability to put weight on it, and slight discomfort in my right knee. I never had any problems with my knees before. An MRI showed that there are no arthritic changes, but I have a ruptured meniscus in both knees. I got injections of steroid. 3 months later, I developed severe pain in my elbow that did not respond to pain medications. I am off Praluent, but my cholesterol is back at 262, and I can barely walk."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2023

"I find it easy to take, but hard to deal with travel since it has to be refrigerated. I don't have any side effects, compared to statins. Given my dire family history, my cardiologist added ezetimibe to my regimen: together, these have brought my cholesterol lower than it ever has been. It is extremely expensive for me since I became a Medicare patient, and very few plans cover it well."

• dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2024

"Very pleased with the rapid cholesterol drop I've experienced in two months taking. But I am a little concerned with muscle aches which I believe started soon after I started it. I feel it is worth the tradeoff, if indeed, this is the case. Also, I have been napping more and feeling more tired since starting but do not see tiredness as a side effect anywhere listed, so it could be coincidental. I had trouble injecting it into my mid-section area because of the awkward angle, I found. So, my doctor recommended my upper thigh. I will try this next time."

• Chr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 24, 2024

"It has adjusted all my cholesterol levels into normal ranges when they used to all be outside of those ranges. Even when I was 25 years old and playing soccer, I had high cholesterol. I did not tolerate statins, as indicated by a *very* high 'Creatine Kinase, Total, Serum' blood test. Then, I had a heart attack and started taking Praluent. Now I am doing fine and all my cholesterol values are in normal ranges, plus, my cardiologist's stress tests are all normal. Obviously, it's working great for me. I only have minor side effects such as shivering for 1 to 2 minutes about once a month or so when sleeping."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2022

"I cannot take statins. I have tried everything, and it didn’t work. I recently was diagnosed with carotid blockage. Tried Praluent, and I am so happy. It brought every cholesterol profile back to normal; first time in years. My only complaint is I have difficulty with the pen; I have small hands. Overall, A+."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 10, 2022

"65-year-old male going on year 3 of bi-weekly Praluent injections. Originally prescribed because I can't tolerate statins due to rhabdomyolysis. Overall cholesterol numbers cut in half from mid 200s. No side effects whatsoever. Injection itself couldn't be easier."

• Kik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2024

"I have had a good experience with Praluent and although my cholesterol has come down significantly, my provider increased my dose to get my LDL lower because I have a high calcium score. I had a rash around the injection site with the first few injections and my face would get really flush but that didn’t happen with the last injection, so my body must be getting used to the injection."

• pkw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2023

"I have experienced the following side effects during the 6 months of use: bad muscle spasms and cramps during the day and more at night. Continual skin rashes with severe itching. I feel the very minimal benefit of reducing my cholesterol by a small amount is not worth putting up with the diminished sleep quality due to muscular problems and itching skin. I don't think this drug has any proven benefits for my situation."

• San...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 9, 2024

"I've used this medication for two years, and it has significantly reduced my LDL level. This is important because I'm unable to use or tolerate other high cholesterol medications due to adverse effects or lack of effect on the LDL level. My dose is 75 mg given by injection every two weeks, and I give myself the injection at home. My main issue with it is that it is expensive, and it's been a struggle getting it approved by insurances."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2023

"I'm experiencing a lot of hand, shoulder, and leg cramps. My legs feel heavy going up and down stairs. I've only had two injections and am debating on taking a third, which is due today at 75 mg. The side effects are worse than the pill. Runny nose and back of throat are dry."

• Pes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 16, 2023

"I've been using the 75 mg for about 2 years now. I have recently begun to have some upper respiratory symptoms, but am unsure if it's related to Praluent. I'm a GI next week and will know more after that. I was exposed to strong chemicals in a small space, and symptoms began after that exposure. Symptoms are hoarseness, post-nasal drip, coughing especially after eating, and occasional GERD (once or twice a month). This may not be related to Praluent, as I seemed to have no symptoms prior to that."

• kap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2023

"Since starting Praluent (I have now had 3 doses of 150 mg), I have been experiencing bruising on my abdomen and joint pain in my knees, shoulder, and fingers. I also take Plavix, and I am on the lowest dose of Crestor (5 mg) and am ready to stop that. I don't yet know if the Praluent is working because I do not get bloodwork done until November. I have to say I am suspicious that it is causing the joint pain."