Evolocumab and Dizziness: What Users Say

• 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."

• alw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I started on Repatha in January of this year. I read the reviews here but dismissed them as only a small group of bad experiences. After all, a couple of cardiologists had told me Repatha was 'well tolerated' and had no side effects. Everything was going fine until I was about 8 months in, and then I began to feel off, initially foggy, blurry, dizzy, and difficulty thinking. I initially doubted myself because, after all, this drug has been pitched as not having the side effects of the statins. I took one more injection of Repatha after these initial symptoms and was then almost incapacitated. Complete spaced-out feeling, blurred vision, dizzy to the point of almost falling a couple of times, unable to think clearly. Literally, the worst side effects I've ever felt in my life. I was terrified I had seriously damaged my brain. Thankfully, after stopping the Repatha, my symptoms began to clear up around 18 days after the last injection. The reviews here are real, and this is a very troubling drug."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have been on Repatha for 5 years. As a result, I have developed chronic sinus infections, flu, shortness of breath, pain in my lungs, stomach pain, and most recently fevers, ear pressure, dizziness, and severe headaches. I suspected the medication was causing my problems over a year ago. I spoke with a nurse from Amgen who played it down, and so did my doctor. I was referred to an allergist who, after a full pulmonary function test, allergy test, and CT scan of lungs, concluded I have non-allergic rhinitis. I was constantly prescribed antibiotics and steroids for the symptoms. Sometimes they worked, and many times they didn't. I have seen an infectious disease doctor, a hematologist, an ENT, and a pulmonologist. None of them could determine why I am suffering. I have an FMLA for intermittent leave because sometimes I can't get out of bed. I took my last injection last Saturday, the day the headaches started, and I have had them every day since. No more!"

• zoo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 20, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "I am a long-term T1 Diabetic, with a familial history of High Cholesterol. I had a triple bypass 5 years ago and was doing really well for about the last 4 years post-op. With continual elevated cholesterol numbers, my Dr put me on Repatha. The first 2 injections were ok, with some minor side effects, such as dizziness and pretty bad back pain. I went to my massage therapist and chiropractor, and was treated for about 3 months with some relief. I also had a back x-ray taken, with no major changes or abnormalities. I must admit, I DID NOT connect Repatha with these symptoms. Now, as far as that is concerned, it certainly did LOWER my bad cholesterol from 289 to 47, but again, at what price??? My major 'new' side effects after taking Repatha for 4 months: Dizziness, Blurry Vision, Excruciating foot, leg, hip and back pain, shortness of breath and a rapid heartbeat, joint and strange bone pain, and a runny nose."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2023

For High Cholesterol "Had 6 doses over 5 months. Each dose made me feel worse than the previous one. Could not tolerate more than one dose per month. Two jabs in one month resulted in 3 days off work. Dizziness, nausea, extreme tiredness, stomach cramps, muscle cramps - especially at night, flu-like symptoms, lack of sleep due to blocked nose. The only plus was that cholesterol levels dropped after the second dose. Depletion of vitamin D, lowest ever B12 - unable to work for 3 days each fortnight. Would not recommend to anyone. However, when the side effects became too severe to cope with and I gave up, I still had to endure muscle pain and general illness."

• taj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I received two stents in my left anterior descending artery (LAD) and felt great afterward. I did not have a heart attack, nor did I have a serious event. I caught the occluded artery before any issues. I had Repatha injections every 2 weeks as prescribed. I was a healthy, athletic 62-year-old man, and after the injections, I have been just about debilitated. I went to the emergency room several times and felt like I was dying. I have an inflamed gastrointestinal tract, inflamed joints, vertigo, SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), and many other issues. I stopped the injections after 6 months, and approximately 4 years later I'm just now feeling a little better. It has not been a good medication for me. Please be careful if you are prescribed this medication. I do not recommend it."

• Wil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 21, 2022

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "I've been on every statin including Zetia. The statins did not lower my high cholesterol, which was combined in the 300s, and the Zetia helped but made me very dizzy, so my cardio suggested Repatha. I had no issues the first year except sinus issues. But then came the high blood sugar - (I'm 5’4, 113 and an over-exerciser). But the big one, which has now destroyed my life, is the low back pain. This isn't the normal arthritic pain, this occurs 3-5 days after the injection, and literally, I can't walk, sit, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, walk my dog, or drive. Nothing helps to relieve it because it isn't related to an injury or inflammation. That is why I take the drug once a month instead of as prescribed. I know I will be incapacitated. My cardio tells me it is all in my head because his wife is on it and she has no side effects. Yes, it has brought my cholesterol down to 250. But I don't know how much of this pain I can endure."

• Spa...
• May 6, 2019

For High Cholesterol "My first injection of Repatha was somewhat uneventful. The second injection began a nightmare! After about 2 days, I experienced dizziness, almost passed out 3 times, and had a headache that was so bad along with unbelievable back pain. I already have chronic back pain, but it was so bad I thought I would die. I called my cardiologist after suffering for 7 days, and she insisted it wasn't caused by Repatha and that I should visit my primary. I did, and she did blood work, a flu swab, and urinalysis. Everything came back normal. She reviewed the side effects of Repatha and said she thought it was from the Repatha. I started this medication reluctantly. It had been prescribed several months earlier and after reading reviews, I opted out. The next time I went to my cardiologist, she assured me that the side effects were minimal, so I told her I would try it. She said because my LDL was so high and because I had already had one stent, I really needed this drug. I wish I had not listened to her."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I started taking Repatha in April 2017, and the first thing I noticed was back pain, then muscle pain. I can't use my right arm for much and can't open jars and things that require using my wrist. I am dizzy-headed and feel bad all the time (fatigue, I guess). I am taking 2-3 hour naps during the day, and I am only 51. I've never done this before. I talked to my doctor, and she said to come off Repatha for a month and see how I feel. She's not sure it's the medicine. Repatha is really easy to use and is shipped right to my door in a cooler package. Repatha dropped my bad cholesterol from 187 to 67 after 3 doses (bi-weekly). I don't know what to do about taking this drug. I think it's making me feel really bad all the time."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I took my first dose of Repatha on a Thursday and had side effects of flu symptoms, terrible back pain, neck pain, and vertigo within 24 hours. By Monday, I was in the ER with a NSTEMI (a type of heart attack). I was sent home on Tuesday. I was back in the ER on Thursday with a second NSTEMI and 2 angiograms. It's been a month now, and I still have muscle pain, weakness, blurry vision, fatigue, depression, shoulder pain, and hand swelling. And this was from just 1 dose. The doctor said there were no side effects. Yeah, okay."

• Jum...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Don't let anyone tell you to hold off on Repatha injections and then 'try again!' Also, do NOT let your doctor convince you there aren't side effects. This is a dangerous drug if you have pre-existing comorbidities. I have RA (rheumatoid arthritis), need 5 surgeries for vascular blockages in my torso and legs, and 4 coronary stents are placed. My RA symptoms of joint pain have worsened with the Repatha, but my biggest negative on this drug is increased blood pressure and chest pain. It's very dangerous when I'm already a heart patient! Think carefully about what your medical issues are and whether you want to risk them worsening. New problems for me are dizziness, sudden gut pain, anxiety, visual disturbances, nausea, and leg weakness. Yes, my cholesterol went from 300 to normal, but even taking an injection every 3 months has incapacitated me and exacerbated my medical issues!"

• Sue...
• December 5, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I had to pay over and above my insurance to get this drug just so I could end up having more problems than I've ever had from a prescription. I had the one and only injection on Nov. 3rd, 2019. On the 4th of Nov during the night, I woke up with the room spinning so bad that I couldn't move. I was told by my cardiologist to call 911, which I did. When they got there, they tried to help me up but couldn't, so they told me I would have to wait it out. After two and a half weeks on prednisone, I started feeling better. Now I'm getting vertigo off and on. For instance, today I was supposed to go golfing, but from the time I got up this morning, I've been so dizzy that I have to cancel. I never had this problem in my whole life until this injection. I can't believe that my doctor even prescribed this poison to me! I just hope that eventually this goes away. I wouldn't recommend anyone even trying this medication."

• Sue...
• December 5, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I had to pay over and above my insurance to get this drug just so I could end up having more problems than I've ever had from a prescription. I had the one and only injection on Nov. 3rd, 2019. On the 4th of Nov during the night, I woke up with the room spinning so bad that I couldn't move. I was told by my cardiologist to call 911, which I did. When they got there, they tried to help me up but couldn't, so they told me I would have to wait it out. After two and a half weeks on prednisone, I started feeling better. Now I'm getting vertigo off and on. For instance, today I was supposed to go golfing, but from the time I got up this morning, I've been so dizzy that I have to cancel. I never had this problem in my whole life until this injection. I can't believe that my doctor even prescribed this poison to me! I just hope that eventually this goes away. I wouldn't recommend anyone even trying this medication."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I put my experience up some time ago, and now I have taken my 7th injection. My neck is hurting so bad I don't think I can continue on this medication. Dizziness is bad, and back pain. Going to contact my cardiologist to try and stop this nonsense."

• pig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have very high cholesterol and statin problems. Started Ramipril a few weeks after having two LAD stents in January, but it took a long time for Repatha approval, so I have had just two injections. I also have chronic migraine, which was improving with Aimovig. Since starting Repatha, I have had daily migraine and was having middle of the night coughing. Also, very dizzy on awakening now and any bending over. Also, was very nauseated. I stopped Ramipril a few days ago, and cough and nausea stopped, but not headaches or dizziness. I do not have high blood pressure or diabetes and am 61. Cannot stand a daily migraine, I don’t think I can take Repatha."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2021

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I began taking twice-monthly Repatha in November 2020 on the advice of my cardiologist. I am a healthy and active 68-year-old female with familial hypercholesterolemia. Previously, I had tried four different statins and various doses, all of which resulted in considerable muscle pain and night cramps. Things seemed fine until my third Repatha injection when I began having severe pain in my right arm and shoulder. I didn't link the pain to this, so I continued taking my injections, eight altogether, until my final dose at the end of February. By then, I was experiencing increasingly severe pain in both shoulders and arms, weak leg muscles making it difficult to stand, dizziness, and fatigue. Although Repatha dropped my LDL from 177 to 68, the side effects are debilitating. I am done with Repatha and statins. I stopped taking Repatha in late February, but two months later, the side effects continue to wax and wane. I am praying my system can recover and my life return to normal."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I took Repatha for 6 weeks and started to feel lethargic. I also had lower back pain and was lightheaded with bouts of dizziness. After discontinuing Repatha, it took 6 weeks to start to feel better. Repatha was very effective at reducing my cholesterol, but I could not handle the side effects. I just hope that I will eventually feel normal."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Got one dose of Repatha, self-administered under staff supervision, one week ago. About a day and a half in, I got such dizziness it was difficult to walk. I took my blood pressure, which was lower than my usual normal BP. The next day, I started the belly cramps and runs. I felt absolutely miserable. I still get dizzy spells and cramps all day, a week later. Afraid to ever take a second dose. I am a retired medical professional. I am 78."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Got one dose of Repatha, self-administered under staff supervision, one week ago. About a day and a half in, I got such dizziness it was difficult to walk. I took my blood pressure, which was lower than my usual normal BP. The next day, I started the belly cramps and runs. I felt absolutely miserable. I still get dizzy spells and cramps all day, a week later. Afraid to ever take a second dose. I am a retired medical professional. I am 78."

• Lin...
• August 29, 2018

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Bad experience with Repatha, it has been six weeks and still going on. I have had every test possible since I started feeling sick with Repatha. Dizziness, felt nauseous, unbalanced, felt like I was very hot, then would turn ice cold. It was not vertigo or anything to do with my ears. Had an ENT doctor check me, MRI, all sorts of lab work done. Conclusion: reaction to Repatha. Wish I had never started the injections. Prior to this, I was in good health, high cholesterol was the only medication that I took, lived a very active life, have never had any surgeries for anything, very good health for a 74-year-old and not used to being sick. Very concerned. The excruciating headache wakes me up at 3 a.m., will last about 5 minutes, then I turn ice cold, feel fatigue, and then dizzy. Really bad experience. Wish I had never gotten started on Repatha."

• Lin...
• August 29, 2018

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Bad experience with Repatha, it has been six weeks and still going on. I have had every test possible since I started feeling sick with Repatha. Dizziness, felt nauseous, unbalanced, felt like I was very hot, then would turn ice cold. It was not vertigo or anything to do with my ears. Had an ENT doctor check me, MRI, all sorts of lab work done. Conclusion: reaction to Repatha. Wish I had never started the injections. Prior to this, I was in good health, high cholesterol was the only medication that I took, lived a very active life, have never had any surgeries for anything, very good health for a 74-year-old and not used to being sick. Very concerned. The excruciating headache wakes me up at 3 a.m., will last about 5 minutes, then I turn ice cold, feel fatigue, and then dizzy. Really bad experience. Wish I had never gotten started on Repatha."

• dre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Received 2nd dose on 14-day injection program, and 10 days after 2nd dose experienced severe reaction to Repatha. Adverse symptoms were dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, severe intestinal distress, body aches, burning skin sensation in upper body, pounding heartbeat, malaise, general weakness, chills, increased BP and heart rate. Adverse symptoms lasted 4 days before gradually subsiding to mild body ache and tiredness."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2019

For High Cholesterol "The first 3 days after injection, I did not have any kind of negative reaction until the fourth day. I then started having left side weakness, like I was going to lose all function of my left arm. I had had a stroke 7 years ago, and I remember feeling the same ways days to weeks before I had the actual stroke, and the feeling was just as intense. On the fifth day, I still had the same symptoms but not as frequent. I also have been having a hard time standing in my shower from major dizziness. It is getting to be two weeks since the shot, and the symptoms have let up a lot, but are still occasional. I will not be using this medicine or any statins. I will be relying on a clean diet and exercise. I did appreciate the opportunity to try it out, though. I really wanted it to work."

• Chr...
• January 29, 2024

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "Repatha is working really well. I saw a significant decrease in my LDL with the first three injections. I do have minimal side effects such as a runny nose and some dizziness. My husband usually does the injection, but I have had to do it myself as well. It is very easy and only slight discomfort."

• Ano...
• August 21, 2019

For High Cholesterol "10 days post first Repatha injection, and despite knowing how to inject it, I have the most ridiculous bruise on my stomach. On day 9, I went to the ER because I suspected I had another rare sphenoid sinus infection, which is quite rare. CT scans were negative, so they say, despite giving me medication, saying maybe it's starting because it didn't seem they wanted to blame it on Repatha, and perhaps these symptoms are something that I am used to with this sort of chronic infection. I have headaches I can hardly describe. I don't necessarily feel lightheaded but like my head is heavy, swollen, and the pain moves around. I get bouts where I feel dizzy and the world is spinning. I am having sensory issues with sound, light, and motion. I thought a slight burning pain for a few hours in my arm was weird a few hours after my injection into my stomach was the worst of it, but I had no clue what was in store. I am barely starting day 10, but I am done. I want this out of me! Never again."