Praluent and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• Jam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 15, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I cannot tolerate statins, so I've been taking Praluent for a few years, and my bad cholesterol is way down and my good cholesterol is up to an acceptable level. But now I am thinking the Praluent side effect is body pain and aches, as for about the past six months, I have been experiencing somewhat severe whole body pain. I feel better if I take Norco or Tramadol, which I use for back pain, but on the advice of my cardiologist, I skipped the last Praluent dose to see if I feel any better. Praluent has a half-life of 17-20 days, so I figure I'll need to wait at least 40 days to see if I feel better. I sure hope the Praluent is not the cause because it's keeping me alive. I'm 66, and my father died at age 57 from a heart attack. For me, the only solution might be to increase my pain meds. I already have two completely clogged heart arteries, so I need to do something to keep my liver from making too much cholesterol. Changing my diet did nothing."

• Bon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have high cholesterol all my life. All statins give me side effects. I got approved for this injection, Praluent. I am 65, and I also have lung issues that come with a constant cough plus pain in my body. I was reading the side effects of this drug and could get influenza, pain, cough, etc. I was looking forward to this drug, but now that I have it, I am having second thoughts. Any input on this?"

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2023

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have been taking 150 mg of Praluent for 2-3 months and began experiencing thigh pain and weakness, worsening dizziness, and worsening neck and right knee pain. I used to walk 3 miles a day, do cardio twice a week, and weights twice a week. Now my dizziness and leg weakness do not allow me to walk without holding on to the wall or using a cane. My last injection was three weeks ago, but symptoms persist, though not worsening. Pending neurology and all the usual workup, but I feel strongly it’s Praluent, especially after reading these reviews. Like many others here, I cannot tolerate the statins. I was on Praluent 75 mg for about a year and did experience dizziness and thigh “heaviness” and muscle cramping, but not to this extent."

• jun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2024

For High Cholesterol "I have stopped taking injections which were every 2 weeks. I have itching all over, tingling all over, mouth ulcers, walking problems, pains in legs. I am passing urine more often. I have stopped only 4 days ago. I told the doctor who gave this to me, and he said to stop taking it and see what happens. I have to have a second blood test (full one) next week as the first one was incorrect or had queries. I have been taking this medication for approximately 2 years now. Although it brought my cholesterol right down, I feel I can control it with diet as it's not worth the effects I am having. I have read it takes up to 100 days for it to clear the system."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I found Praluent fairly easy to use, however, I experienced very little reduction in my levels. What I did experience was inflammation of two pre-existing weaknesses in my body-both my feet and my right elbow. Neither of these things caused me great discomfort prior to Praluent, but left me almost unable to walk, and performing normal activities with my right arm was excruciatingly painful. I could no longer safely lift things like a kettle, or whipper snip, trim hedges, etc.-things I’d always easily managed. It took me a few weeks to connect the onset of this pain with Praluent, but it reduced considerably after I stopped using the product. I will always have these weaknesses in my body, but the inflammation caused by this medication is not something I am prepared to put up with for the rest of my life."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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!❤️❤️❤️"

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• 62i...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 6, 2021

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "After one year on Praluent (75 mg every two weeks) with no noticeable side effects, I began to notice in the last week of month 13 that I wasn't recovering from workouts as quickly as normal, and I experienced a huge loss of stamina with outdoor activities such as kayaking. I persisted with Praluent as my cardiologist had told me that I would have to take it for the rest of my life. I went kayaking the first of August. Afterward, I barely got my kayak up into the bed of my truck, and when I got home, I felt so weak. I was severely fatigued for two days. I tried one more injection (fool, right?), and the symptoms increased. They felt like I had a constant flu, body aches and pains, tingling and sharp pains in shoulder joints, difficulty standing and walking. I discontinued Praluent, with the approval of the primary physician. I wake up in pain now, though it has begun to lessen each morning. I presently have to place a step stool to get in my truck. I hope this gets out of my system soon."

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2022

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "I'm 82 y.o. female. High cholesterol is in my family, and no one has died of a heart attack. I tried statins and Ezetimibe with troubling side effects - pain and fatigue in legs and a high muscle enzyme number. Then the cardiologist put me on Praluent, and after several months, I began having a large welt at the injection site with every injection. Then I started getting a rash with blisters on my legs that itched. I also began having pain and fatigue in my legs again. I had my veins checked, my hips checked, and an MRI of my back (possible stenosis the orthopedist thought). Everything checked out fine! Had a biopsy done on the rash and was told it was from some allergy. I stopped taking the Praluent, and a month later, the pain in my legs is 99% gone, and the rash has subsided. The Praluent definitely lowered my cholesterol, but I don't tolerate it well."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2022

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "My experience happened in June of 2019 as a result of taking Praluent 75 mg for a couple of months, and it was so severe that I wrote down all my symptoms so that I would remember the chain of events. At 8:00 PM, I started to have such pressure and pain in my head and in my ears that I was certain I was having a stroke. My face and neck became numb with a severe constriction from my neck throughout my head. My chest became flushed, my hands were shaking, my eyes were watering profusely. The pain spread to my spine. My hands and legs felt arthritic. I stopped the injections after this experience and have never taken Praluent again. Unfortunately, my cholesterol numbers worsened. I want you to know there have been residual problems from taking Praluent. I have been diagnosed with numerous autoimmune diseases within the last 3 years. I believe this drug causes extreme and lasting problems. I'm living it."

• Caz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2023

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Since starting this medication, I have experienced constant mild congestion with mild coughing and a morning runny nose. Muscle spasms in my legs at night. Pain in the hamstring of the back of my left ankle while walking. Achilles tendon. I had none of these symptoms before taking this medication. Lowest dose 2 times a month. So far, I have had 6 injections. Will do a blood test in the next two weeks for results."

• KS ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I took Repatha for less than a year before my insurance stopped covering it, so I switched to Praluent. I'd had some walking difficulty due to a torn Achilles, which grew worse until I needed a cane whenever I left the house. I was working from home due to the pandemic. Three months after starting Praluent, I couldn't stand long enough to prepare a meal due to leg pain and weakness. I didn't associate it with any medication. Then, after a year on Praluent, I had trouble getting up off the couch, and a lightbulb came on in my head. This is what happened in the past when I had taken statins - I had finally told my doctor that I'd never take them again. I immediately stopped taking Praluent and contacted my doctor. She was concerned that my cholesterol counts would go up. Tests showed that they had gone up since I'd switched from Repatha. I was referred to a cardiologist and am now on Zetia. It's been three months, and I've gradually been getting my leg strength back and am feeling so much better."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I took my 4th 150 ml injection on 1/17/2023. That night, I awoke with problems swallowing, combined with weakness, nausea, and severe joint pain. It is now 3/1/2023, and my knees, legs, feet, and fingers are very stiff and painful, and walking steps is hard. Nexium is no longer working as my reflux medication, as I continue to have GERD and bowel issues. My cholesterol number was very good. Continue to hope that I will be back to normal soon."

• Sah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I just started Praluent 150 mg with the first injection last evening, with zero side effects and very little pain with the injection. Total cholesterol was in the normal range on Atorvastatin 40 mg. However, my Lp(a) cholesterol was highly elevated at 148 nmol/ml (normal is"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2025

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I've been taking Praluent for almost 2 years. While it's done a great job lowering my cholesterol, I've had numerous symptoms that are getting increasingly worrisome. As others have written in their reviews, there are aches, pains, and numbness that seem to be a reaction to the drug, despite my cardiologist telling me no one has had a bad reaction. I am on it because I couldn't tolerate the statins. I've finally realized that my search to find out why I have had ongoing hair loss, shedding, etc. for many months now is likely caused by this drug. When searching on the Internet for reactions to Praluent, it always says hair loss is not one of the known side effects. I now think that's not true. I think it's just not being publicized. I have tolerated the aches and numbness, but I can't tolerate continued hair loss. I've also started monitoring how I feel in the immediate days after the injection. On days 2 and 3, the aches and pains get much worse. It works, but at what risk?"

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2024

For High Cholesterol "I am experiencing increased pain/tingling of foot neuropathy, more severe than when using Crestor, but only while walking."

• dly...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 5, 2023

For High Cholesterol "Having a lot of pain in my legs. Can't sleep without waking up many times. Joint pain in the knee that was replaced."

• G D...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I had joint pain for one or two days after taking it that lasted for about 2 days. I also had muscular pain and discomfort that lasted for about a week."