Repatha and Pain: What Users Say

• SRS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2024

For High Cholesterol "Repatha did well in reducing my LDL levels to anywhere from 6-15. That is the good. The bad. GI issues, I was making 5-7 trips a day to the restroom. Muscular pain in the legs, arms, and back. Joint pain. Numbness in both hands. Ear congestion. Stuffy nose and coughing. Chest congestion. It’s terrible that the pharmaceutical companies are allowed to produce and distribute medications that have the ability to put people in harm's way."

• Bra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 25, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Cardio Dr put me on Repatha and have been taking it now for several years. I have had sore legs and arms, etc., but attributed it to aging (70 now). The pain has gotten progressively worse to the point where I could only walk a few blocks. Now I can hardly walk across the house as all my muscles feel like rubber. I took my last shot two weeks ago and am not taking any more. Statins ruined me, and I recovered somewhat when I quit them. This stuff is finishing the job. It did, however, lower my numbers, but the pain and crippling just ain't worth it."

• Twe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "After an event of cardiomyopathy, I took pill form of statins. Each one I tried gave me terrible leg pain. Cardiologist’s PA then prescribed Repatha. I took one dose of 140 mg on a Sunday, and by Tuesday I had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance due to being completely immobile with back pain. It is now Friday; I’ve had a dye contrast MRI and there is nothing found to be wrong with my back. I went from being perfectly mobile to being disabled, possibly permanently. I am now on three blood pressure medications where I was previously on one, and heavy narcotics to control pain. Even with all of this, the pain is still not entirely controlled, and I can’t move without the help of two nurses to use the bathroom or walk. After some heavy research, my daughter discovered that Repatha can permanently damage the musculature within the body. I BEG of anyone prescribed Repatha to never use it. It’s criminal that it was ever approved by the FDA. Please, Stay away from this medication!"

• Twe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "After an event of cardiomyopathy, I took pill form of statins. Each one I tried gave me terrible leg pain. Cardiologist’s PA then prescribed Repatha. I took one dose of 140 mg on a Sunday, and by Tuesday I had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance due to being completely immobile with back pain. It is now Friday; I’ve had a dye contrast MRI and there is nothing found to be wrong with my back. I went from being perfectly mobile to being disabled, possibly permanently. I am now on three blood pressure medications where I was previously on one, and heavy narcotics to control pain. Even with all of this, the pain is still not entirely controlled, and I can’t move without the help of two nurses to use the bathroom or walk. After some heavy research, my daughter discovered that Repatha can permanently damage the musculature within the body. I BEG of anyone prescribed Repatha to never use it. It’s criminal that it was ever approved by the FDA. Please, Stay away from this medication!"

• Bob...
• January 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking Repatha for about 2 years. At first, I had no side effects and my cholesterol levels went down to 26. Now I have all kinds of side effects: severe back and side pain, shortness of breath, severe muscle cramps, blurred vision, dizziness, weight loss, loss of appetite, etc. I'm considering not taking it anymore."

• Flu...
• March 30, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Took Repatha on Feb. 15, 2021. Leg started swelling. Called dr as leg went pins & needles. Next day cough, sneezing, nose runny. Next day all of the above with swollen lip, sores in mouth, cheeks breaking out, face sores, & forehead. Itchy face & bladder feels stiff, can not pee, it is strong smelling. Ankle swollen, vagina swollen, had asthma attack & went to ER. Stuffy nose, headache, watery eyes. BP running high 152/92. Woke up at 3 am not feeling good, bp 189/91, ears hurt, face hurts. Post nasal drip, ears ache, coughing, face red, & sores. March 5th going down chest with itchy red bumps. It's continuing in cycles 11-17 days up to 93 days. It is March 29 & I have sores on face, ears ache, throat hurts, sores came back in mouth, & now leg pain. I'm exhausted. This medicine is poison to me. My cholesterol numbers will just have to be high. I can't take statins. NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN. I hope I survive it! Called the FDA."

• Aaa...
• December 9, 2019

For High Cholesterol "My doctor also told me there were no side effects. So, initially, I was thrilled to get a chance to try it. It took 10 days for side effects to appear, waking me at 3 AM with severe pain in my ankles, calves, hips, and neck with spasms in the ankle, but those symptoms subsided after a day. After the second injection, it took only 3 days for severe tendon pain to hit my left leg, leaving me barely able to walk. I was shuffling like a 90-year-old. I went to an ortho who ordered an MRI. He said the pain I had was medicine-induced. I asked my cardiologist about the symptoms, along with severe insomnia, but he denied it was from Repatha. My PCP encouraged me to stick with it due to the very low cholesterol numbers, so I took a third injection and quit after that. But 3 months later, there is little relief. The reduced quality of life has not been worth this! What bothers me is the automatic denial by the doctors who are so quick to say NO ONE else has complained. Really?"

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Repatha was prescribed to me by my cardiologist because I have statin intolerance (muscle pain). I started taking Repatha in November 2019. After 2 months, my LDL went down significantly. My cardiologist and I were very pleased with the results. However, in January 2020, I started experiencing pain in my shoulders and upper arms. The source of the pain cannot be determined after a lot of investigation. The pain, as we speak, is getting worse and wakes me up at night. I take pain relievers and muscle relaxants to get temporary relief. I am planning to take CoQ10 for a few weeks and see if there is any improvement. I have no choice but to continue with this medication since I had triple bypass surgery 2 years ago. I will keep the group posted if I notice any pain relief after taking CoQ10."

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking Repatha for almost two years with great results. However, late last year I had terrible back & shoulder pain. A report listed a requirement to take CoQ10. It helps immensely. It's needed when taking or starting Repatha, as these drugs deplete this enzyme in the body. Start taking immediately if not currently taking it. CoQ10 requires some oil in your stomach to absorb, though works fine as long as you do this. I take mine after my fish oil. I have no muscle pain any longer. Please use CoQ10 if taking either Repatha or statins."

• dis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I started Repatha in May of 2021, it lowered my cholesterol quickly to 214 within a few months. I was happy with that result, but I knew something was really happening with my health. I told my husband something had changed in the last 6 months with my health. I didn't think about Repatha, I was told by my cardiologist and pharmacist there were no side effects from Repatha. I kept using it, and by January 2022, my mouth was totally covered inside with blisters and sores, I could barely walk, I was severely depressed, had severe headaches, and hip pain. I stopped taking it and tried it again 3 months ago to see if the symptoms were caused by something else! I kept thinking the doctor and pharmacist said no side effects. I am sitting here with a mouth full of blisters and sores, so weak I can hardly do anything, can't go for my daily walks, which I loved. I survived cancer twice, chemo and radiation were bad, but nothing like Repatha. I hope I can recover and have some quality of life left."

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "After my 6th dosage of Repatha, I would rather die. I have four stents along with torn tendons and connective tissue disease that can't be explained. Frequent urination and problems. Neck, leg, and back pain do not allow me to sleep. Severe headaches, but the newest side effects are very scary to me...stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting for days after the injection, which I am sure will be my last. I am saddened after reading the reviews that this will last for quite some time. Only 55, feeling hopeless, and feeling like a 90-year-old every day is not the quality of life I was trying to accomplish. I hope there is help on its way. Thank you for the truths. I thought I was alone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I started taking this medication in February 2019. The first shot was not a problem. I actually felt better, but that quickly dissipated. Yes, it lowered my cholesterol dramatically, but I started feeling flu-like symptoms with aches and pains. After two months on this medication, I felt like I was hungover all the time. I also felt that my memory has been declining, I’m always in a fog. The worst feeling is that I’m only 48 years old and I feel like I’m 100. I’m tired all the time, my legs feel like lead weights, and all of my normal aches and pains are intensified. I wish my doctor would have told me about potential side effects because I never would’ve started this medication. Maybe that is why they didn't?"

• Sai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I took Repatha for three months and then stopped it. I had leg pain for two months and could barely walk. Shoulder pain for 6 weeks, could not roll over in bed. Then it got in my hands. Terrible pain in both hands, only opioids would let me sleep for 4 hours. Had to doctor shop to get more. Could not open bottles. Could not use hand grip exerciser. Not at all. After one year I have my hands back, long time! Had to have carpal tunnel surgery on one hand during that time. Hands still weak. Bad stuff."

• Sai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I took Repatha for three months and then stopped it. I had leg pain for two months and could barely walk. Shoulder pain for 6 weeks, could not roll over in bed. Then it got in my hands. Terrible pain in both hands, only opioids would let me sleep for 4 hours. Had to doctor shop to get more. Could not open bottles. Could not use hand grip exerciser. Not at all. After one year I have my hands back, long time! Had to have carpal tunnel surgery on one hand during that time. Hands still weak. Bad stuff."

• Sai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I took Repatha for three months and then stopped it. I had leg pain for two months and could barely walk. Shoulder pain for 6 weeks, could not roll over in bed. Then it got in my hands. Terrible pain in both hands, only opioids would let me sleep for 4 hours. Had to doctor shop to get more. Could not open bottles. Could not use hand grip exerciser. Not at all. After one year I have my hands back, long time! Had to have carpal tunnel surgery on one hand during that time. Hands still weak. Bad stuff."

• Pai...
• June 16, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I took 7 injections of Repatha in an attempt to lower LDL because my doctor was going to put me on the non-compliant list. When I began having physical symptoms, I thought it was because I was working out too hard. I am 71 and was getting ready for a 3-month walking vacation in Europe, so I wanted to be able to walk several miles a day. I have been completely off Repatha since the first week of January and am still having extreme pain in my thighs (injection points) with loss of energy and muscle pains throughout my body. I feel like I'm walking on a tennis ball in my left arch and have stabbing knife pains in my right leg. They have really not dissipated since January, and it is now the middle of June. I am livid that my doctor talked me into this because I couldn't do statins and did so much research on cholesterol that I know how ridiculous it is to be forced to take this garbage. I am furious... I wonder if that is a side effect as well... I'm furious a lot lately."

• Hfl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 22, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I did not tolerate statins because of muscle pain and weakness. I was not aware of the severe side effects that could happen on Repatha. Diabetes was not listed as a side effect on the brochure that my doctor gave to me. While on Repatha, I developed a drug-resistant bladder infection, severe insulin-resistant diabetes, and severe shoulder and hip pain with profound weakness. All side effects have not improved since stopping Repatha a year ago. I am now wheelchair-bound. It dramatically lowered my cholesterol, but not worth life-threatening side effects."

• Hfl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 22, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I did not tolerate statins because of muscle pain and weakness. I was not aware of the severe side effects that could happen on Repatha. Diabetes was not listed as a side effect on the brochure that my doctor gave to me. While on Repatha, I developed a drug-resistant bladder infection, severe insulin-resistant diabetes, and severe shoulder and hip pain with profound weakness. All side effects have not improved since stopping Repatha a year ago. I am now wheelchair-bound. It dramatically lowered my cholesterol, but not worth life-threatening side effects."

• Ind...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I have always hurt taking statins and refused for over 15 years to take more than a few weeks, because side effects of pain, aching, memory loss. My heart doctor and family doctor pushed me into taking Repatha as my cholesterol was 553. In September 2016, I tried it and the first 2 injections were okay, no side effects. But as soon as I took the third, I have been in the most pain I have experienced in my life. Every joint, tendon, muscle, from my neck to my toes. It is now December 27, 2016, and the pain has just increased instead of decreased. If I lay down or sit for just a while, I can hardly move when I get back up. I never had problems in my hands or knees before but feel like I could fall when walking, and my hands feel numb with tingling and pain."

• MI ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Elevated LDL, and I could not tolerate statins. Went years without any medication until my cardiologist recommended trying Repatha, saying it has hardly any known side effects. After taking 5 shots, I have to disagree and probably stop taking this miracle drug. It certainly works, after 2 months, my LDL went down 50%. But after about 1.5 months in, I started to have side effects: excessive sweating (head), chills, weak legs, pain and aching in feet, ankles, knees, and groin. Dry and itchy sinuses. Change in vision. Mild back pain and overall fatigue. I stopped taking it for a month, and about 3 weeks after, the side effects were gone. After 4 weeks, I tried to take another shot, and in 4-5 days, all the goodies were back. Works great if you can tolerate it."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "With Repatha, I had elevated BP even with maximum BP meds. Ended in ER with BP over 200 with uncontrollable nosebleed. Extreme joint pain and swelling, leg and back pain, and muscle weakness. Flushing, fatigue, headache, and blurred vision. Gained weight (sometimes 5 lbs overnight). Stopped taking and hope side effects go away."

• 66M...
• October 2, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I started taking Repatha in Feb. of 2016. It lowered my cholesterol considerably at the beginning but started experiencing pain in my legs, hips, back, and shoulders right after taking it. I did not tie it to the Repatha at first. I gave myself an injection in the leg in August and had a large swelling at the site of the injection. It went down in 4 days, but the pain in my body became severe to the point I could not walk many days. My muscles and tendons became very swollen. I called the number listed on the Repatha prescription insert a total of 4 times because the pain was so bad. The Repatha representatives were no help and told me to talk to my doctor. I finally ended up in the emergency room, and then had an aneurysm 3 days ago. I blame it on Repatha!"

• Fal...
• March 22, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I had a heart attack at 47. My cholesterol was 193, but LDL was a little high. I have a family history, so I visited a cardiologist at 45 and was told everything was great, I had 'the heart of a 30-year-old.' After getting two stents and having blood work done, it was determined I produce smaller particles and absorb more cholesterol. They put me on statins, but they were crippling to me. My joints were swollen and ached. I’m very active, I go to the gym 3-5 days a week and exercise daily. I've been on Repatha for 3 years, my LDL is under 40 at every checkup. I don’t notice side effects as I did from the statins. I read these reviews and was shocked by all the problems... it sounds like my statin experience."

• Day...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking 140 mg Repatha every 2 weeks for 8 months. Cholesterol came down significantly, but my feet hurt terribly and my legs hurt terribly. I am 69 and have had a quad bypass 5 years ago and a minor stroke. I have gained 8 pounds. I used to outwalk everybody, now my pain in my feet and legs is so bad that I use a heating pad every night just so the pain will feel better. I also believe it has made me short of breath. So it is good for lowering cholesterol but has terrible side effects. I am going to stop taking it and see in 3 months how much my cholesterol goes up. Glucose blood sugars fasting were 90-102 in the mornings, now blood sugars fasting can be 120-130. Good luck to all who can tolerate it, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life with this leg and feet pain."

• Day...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking 140 mg Repatha every 2 weeks for 8 months. Cholesterol came down significantly, but my feet hurt terribly and my legs hurt terribly. I am 69 and have had a quad bypass 5 years ago and a minor stroke. I have gained 8 pounds. I used to outwalk everybody, now my pain in my feet and legs is so bad that I use a heating pad every night just so the pain will feel better. I also believe it has made me short of breath. So it is good for lowering cholesterol but has terrible side effects. I am going to stop taking it and see in 3 months how much my cholesterol goes up. Glucose blood sugars fasting were 90-102 in the mornings, now blood sugars fasting can be 120-130. Good luck to all who can tolerate it, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life with this leg and feet pain."