Praluent and Tiredness: What Users Say

• WNT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I’m 65 years old. I took two doses of Praluent over a 4-week period and experienced extreme fatigue and lethargy. It also impacted my cognitive ability (I’m a financial analyst). I’m troubled that the clinical trials focus on side effects limited to the injection site. I had far many more than this. The most pronounced was unusual tiredness and fatigue. I normally bike 10 miles every other day and could not bike any longer. As soon as I suspended taking this drug after three weeks (due to its long half-life), I was able to resume my exercise routine. I had high hopes for this drug because it initially reduced my bad (and good) cholesterol dramatically. My cardiologist did not want to hear my complaints. I am overall very disappointed in the experience. I’m still trying to find a medication that will work that doesn’t sap all my energy."

• WNT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I’m 65 years old. I took two doses of Praluent over a 4-week period and experienced extreme fatigue and lethargy. It also impacted my cognitive ability (I’m a financial analyst). I’m troubled that the clinical trials focus on side effects limited to the injection site. I had far many more than this. The most pronounced was unusual tiredness and fatigue. I normally bike 10 miles every other day and could not bike any longer. As soon as I suspended taking this drug after three weeks (due to its long half-life), I was able to resume my exercise routine. I had high hopes for this drug because it initially reduced my bad (and good) cholesterol dramatically. My cardiologist did not want to hear my complaints. I am overall very disappointed in the experience. I’m still trying to find a medication that will work that doesn’t sap all my energy."

• Gav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I read a lot of negative comments online about Praluent, and quite frankly, the potential side effects were pretty scary to read. I've just taken my 2nd injection and can honestly say it's been fine. The injection itself doesn't hurt at all, and I haven't had any significant side effects, positive or negative. After each injection, I have felt a bit lethargic, but nothing to worry about. I'm sure those people who experience negative responses to this drug are experiencing real issues, but for me, it's been fine."

• Lui...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 18, 2025

For High Cholesterol "57-year-old woman, stent/heart attack 2 years ago. Been using Praluent 75 since May 2024. Bad side effects with statins. Cholesterol down from 4.8 to 2.8. Have a lot of pain in the lower back, hips, and legs. Issue with my eyes, also memory. Noticed after the injection I get headaches, very tiredness, hot flushes, bad stiffness, can’t walk properly, anxiety, elevated heartbeat sometimes. Difficulty talking, finding the words sometimes. I train every day for my heart, but it’s tough. No info on long-term effects."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• Lil...
• January 26, 2017

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Injected Praluent 3 weeks ago. I am a 74-year-old female, generally very healthy and active with familial cholesterol (not tolerant of statins, etc.). I had cold symptoms and a mild sore throat two days after the injection. Injected again 1 week ago, completely floored this week, with sickness and diarrhea the following day, stayed in bed that day, the following day, and every morning this week as I am so tired (injected on a Sunday, it is now Thursday). Still have a very red, sore, and swollen throat and the symptoms of a heavy cold. I rarely have colds or sore throats or sickness, etc. I shall not be continuing with the medicine."

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2024

For High Cholesterol "Been taking shots for 4 months. My eyes are very red, so I bought eye drops, did not help. Have back pain and upper thigh pain and itching. It lowered everything, but I can't take the tiredness anymore. I want to sleep all the time. This stuff is evil. Now I have to wait 100 days to get it out of my system."

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2024

For High Cholesterol "Injections are and have always been painless. I am going into my ninth week. Last cholesterol check my number before starting Praluent was 235. Since then, things appear much clearer, not so lightheaded as before. Blood pressure is much lower and is controlled. I am much more tired than I used to be. I also feel lethargic on the first four days following each shot. Sometimes feel faint, but again no more head fog and no more fatigue, which before Praluent was severe. If anyone is considering this drug, I would try it. I am confident that the sides of this drug are much better than the side effects of a stroke or heart attack. In closing, all good things come from the Lord Jesus, never forget that."

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2024

For High Cholesterol "Injections are and have always been painless. I am going into my ninth week. Last cholesterol check my number before starting Praluent was 235. Since then, things appear much clearer, not so lightheaded as before. Blood pressure is much lower and is controlled. I am much more tired than I used to be. I also feel lethargic on the first four days following each shot. Sometimes feel faint, but again no more head fog and no more fatigue, which before Praluent was severe. If anyone is considering this drug, I would try it. I am confident that the sides of this drug are much better than the side effects of a stroke or heart attack. In closing, all good things come from the Lord Jesus, never forget that."

• Ssb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I have had a CV event and have very high LDL and high LPa and cannot tolerate statins. I started on Praluent and was fine right after the injection. But the first night I woke up with a very swollen tongue and lips and an extremely dry mouth and throat. Took 1/2 Benadryl, which seemed to resolve. But over the next few days, I would experience bouts of extremely high BP and flushing of my face and chest (I tend to have low BP, so this was very odd). High BP and flushing seemed to occur after any exertion, followed by extreme tiredness for a few weeks, and my doctor told me not to take the next dose. Additionally, I have had very unusual headaches, odd bruising, as well as pinpoint bleeding under my skin and bleeding (large thick clots of blood) from my nose. If I got bit by an insect, I would have rubbery clots of blood on my skin. All very strange, and I will be glad when this med has worked its way out of my system (about 40 days). FYI, I do have a lot of sensitivity to many meds, so I am not surprised."

• CCB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2024

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "Reduced cholesterol well. Injection pen painless and easy to use. Side effects of activity-limiting low back pain, muscle aching around hips and sides, occasional feelings of head pressure and mental fogginess, and often feeling very tired or drained. However, it works a LOT better and causes much less pain than statins!"

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2023

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I switched to a Mediterranean diet lifestyle to lower my cholesterol and to be healthier. I lost 15 pounds and lowered my bad cholesterol (LDL) from 188 to 138 with this lifestyle change and by using a non-statin drug, Zetia. I go to the gym 5 days a week, doing a variety of activities, and have always been physically active. I am 67 years old, five foot six, and weigh 144 pounds. Four months ago, I went on Praluent 75 mg. I had some mild side effects like headaches the first 3 days and tiredness. Those symptoms went away by the 3rd month. My cholesterol total score is now 138. My LDL is down to 65."

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

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I am a 56-year-old man with familial hypercholesterolemia. I had an MI of my LADCA at 46 and have had several stents and three coronary arterial grafts. Despite over 10 years of 80 mg atorvastatin daily, my LDLs were not lowering sufficiently even with a low cholesterol diet. I have been taking Praluent for 5 months now, and the reactions are worsening with every dose. I am at work now typing this. I initially looked at the side effects 3-4 hours after my initial dose as my muscles were twitching and crampy. Now I'm looking for verification of the severe musculoskeletal pain and arthritis-like symptoms in my hands. I generally experience 3-4 days of feeling terrible when I take my dose, but the severity of the symptoms over that time has increased noticeably. I am lethargic and weak, as well as the above symptoms. I have an appointment with my PCP tomorrow and will definitely be discussing this with him even though it was prescribed by my cardiologist."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2024

For High Cholesterol "It makes me tired in the late afternoon/evening of the next day for usually 2 days. It does lower my cholesterol a lot, though. But the side effect is strong and makes you sleepy."