Alirocumab and Weakness: What Users Say

• Ret...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I thought I would follow up on my initial review that I left several weeks ago to give some hope to those who are having a bad reaction like myself. I literally couldn't stand for more than a few minutes, I was so weak. I had no core strength, no strength in my legs, and then in my arms. I lost my dexterity in my hands, had a bad cough, and my heart was beating wildly, etc. All these side effects started to dissipate approximately 2 months after my last dose. I am almost back to full strength. As my cough started to go away, all my strength started coming back, and my heartbeats calmed down. This stuff, Praluent, is insane. I will never take another one of these injectables again. The good news is that I'm about 90% better. Everyone leaves these comments stating that they are really in trouble on this medication but never follow up. For two months, I thought I was in trouble. I'm writing to let others know I'm almost back to normal after 2 months of a living nightmare. It still gets a one rating."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I have Myasthenia Gravis and Praluent initially flared my condition within 3 days of taking this, this has subsided several weeks later. With respect to side effects, I have neck, shoulder, back, and leg pain, cramping, nausea, severe fatigue, weakness in legs, and finally can't leave out the cough. I had a similar reaction to Repatha. I thought I would give Praluent a go. Half-life is super long, 17 - 20 days... so, this will be fun. There's no way I will continue this. It's amazing how FDA could pass this stuff. I would like to sift through the clinical trial data... the real data."

• ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I was on Repatha for years with no problems. Insurance provider stopped coverage, but offered coverage for Praluent. Out of pocket cost to me for three-month supply of 0.75mg every two weeks is $720.00. Taken it twice. Sore in mouth, lower back pain, and weak legs to go with overall feeling of tiredness/weakness. Biggest concern is that my blood pressure and pulse have gone off the scale, which is something I did not previously experience and seem incapable of bringing it down regardless of what I do. Always had excellent numbers without medication. Had Afib three times in a two-day period. To put it mildly, I have severe reservations, the plus side of this medication is worth the side effects. Life without quality seems to be lacking in the basic tenant."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2020

For High Cholesterol "79-year-old male, 10 days ago had one injection of Praluent 150mg, within 24 hours, right shoulder and back pain. Constant severe pain the first week could only sleep on my back. Up many times during the night, pain so severe. Four days after, went to the primary doctor, got anti-inflammatory medicine, steroid injection, which did nothing. Seven days after the injection, severe pain in the right shoulder, went to the ER, received a cortisone injection, got minor relief for a few hours. Now, 13 days after the injection, pain in the right shoulder is still bad, with minor moments of reduced pain. Hopefully with time?? I also cannot forget runny nose, cramps in legs, very weak as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I began to have severe muscular and skeletal pain but thought it was arthritis. After use, it became more pronounced. Both hips hurt, my legs cramped and tingled, and I would have diarrhea 2/3 times a week. Finally, I quit taking the drug and still have the same symptoms 4 months later. Fatigue and weakness in both legs still are present, as well as pain in both arms. I don't know how long this will continue, but I hope that it goes away soon. Never had this problem before."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I'm a 53-year-old female. I've had two heart attacks back in 2015. I'm also diabetic and have other chronic illnesses. My doctor prescribed this medication about four months ago. At first, I didn't take it, something made me wary. I don't tolerate statins. Just this week, I took my third dose. The side effects are horrible, the pain is unbearable. My memory is a mess. I can't literally hold a cup in my hands. Lower back pain, legs are weak, if I move an arm, it feels like it's being broken. My shoulders hurt, my neck hurts, literally, I'm not able to function at all. I will not take this medication ever again. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow and letting him know that I'm practically in pain 24/7. I refuse to be this ill."

• 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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• 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."

• Noo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I am a 63 yr old female. I have cholesterol problems... My cholesterol has gone as high as 700. I had triple bypass in 2008 & 3 stints in 2017. I’m on my 6th injection of Praluent 75 mg. I requested this dose over the 150 mg to start as I’m hypersensitive to everything. I hope to eventually titrate up to the 150 mg dose. I started feeling extreme fatigue & weakness after the 4th dose. Rather than discontinue, I’m experimenting with oral liquid minerals & another product I accidentally stumbled across that supposedly helps to stabilize blood sugar. I’m doing much better. However, swimming at the gym absolutely finishes me for the day. I have no stamina after the swim. Follow-up blood test is in September. I cannot report, yet, the results of Praluent on my cholesterol levels."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

• Rit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I am 76 with high cholesterol. I could not tolerate statins because of side effects. My cardiologist put me on Praluent 75 mg, one injection every 15 days. After the 3rd injection, I experienced a strange, scary weakness in my legs. I went to the neurologist, who ruled out any neurological issues. After the 4th injection, I started gradually experiencing a serious rise in BP (up to 170/110!) and a constant feeling of auricular pressure as though my head would be close to exploding. My symptoms tend to clearly get worse after every new injection. I was seen by an ENT and by my cardiologist, who could not understand the cause of my symptoms other than suspecting they are undocumented side effects of Praluent. This drug is still fairly new, so pay attention. Some side effects are scary and NOT LISTED in official leaflets, but there is already one ongoing study about patients who developed hypertension as a consequence of it. I cannot comment on its effectiveness since my cholesterol tests are still to be scheduled."

• Olg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2023

For High Cholesterol "Don’t yet know if it lowered my LDL, which was my main concern, but my muscle pain, though not chronic, is so severe that I requested a CK just to make sure there are no problems. The doctor assured me that Praluent does not cause muscle damage, and my response was that’s what was said about Lipitor until there was muscle damage, and I don’t want to be the one who says I wish I insisted on checking earlier. The weakness is also an issue. Sometimes holding my arm up to administer eye drops is a problem, holding onto a cup of coffee for any sustained time is a problem, and right now typing this message onto my iPad was a problem."

• 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."

• 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."