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Evolocumab and Flu-Like Symptoms: What Users Say

Brand names: Repatha

Flu-like symptoms: mentioned by 41 users (5.6%)

Based on user experiences from 729 Evolocumab reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

pain 16.3%
back pain 14.4%
fatigue 13.0%
muscle pain 11.4%
weakness 8.6%
headaches 6.2%
runny nose 6.2%
flu-like symptoms 5.6%
joint pain 5.6%
shortness of breath 5.6%

Reviews for Evolocumab

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Gfi...
  • March 3, 2020

For High Cholesterol "12/12/19 first Repatha injection taken at 1:30 p.m. (4 years post renal transplant). Doc assured me it would be no problem. Sitting watching TV at 9 p.m., broke out in sweat, had the feeling of cold water running through my sinus cavity on one side only. Rapid heartbeat, blood pressure spiked, cramps in calves and back of thighs for several nights. Major flu-like symptoms off and on since injection. Visits to neurologist, cardiologist, and general practitioner all say it can last for quite a while, half-life ranges from 11 to 17 days, so for most of it to clear my body could be up to 93 days. Now having esophagus and stomach problems. Never had this before. I believe that not many trial tests were done on taking Repatha with anti-rejection meds. But from my experience, they don’t blend well with Repatha. Still feeling like rubbish, have a good day or two and then it’s back, just don’t have a consistent feeling of well-being. 81 days out. Has anyone fully recovered and if so, how long did it take? I’m a 58-year-old male."

1 / 10
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  • JJa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 13, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I started using Repatha for 3 months due to statins' side effects. I stopped using Repatha because I was experiencing severe shortness of breath, coughing, runny nose, and fatigue. Since stopping, my cough has almost gone away. I still get the occasional runny nose and flu-like symptoms. My breathing and fatigue are still problems. My lung doctor tells me I lost 30% of my lung capacity, and the cardiologist referred me for a pacemaker after reviewing my electrocardiogram. It has only been 30 days since stopping this drug, and it’s my understanding that it will take 60 to 90 days for this drug to completely get out of my system. I am extremely concerned about my current condition. I can’t do much, I struggle to breathe, and at times I am extremely fatigued. My quality of life is horrible. Be very careful and consult your doctor if you start to suffer some of the side effects."

1 / 10
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  • 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!"

1 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • ILe...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 14, 2023

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "I have been on Repatha for 5 years now. I have tried many statins, but most of all the ones I have tried cause severe joint and muscle pain. When Repatha came out, my doctor thought this was ideal for me, so he prescribed a 140 mg injection every 2 weeks. Repatha has worked for me, it has maintained my cholesterol from 200 to 160-180. The first 2 years I experienced side effects of persistent running nose and some hives. I tolerated the side effects because my cholesterol control was more important. However, jumping to the present, the last 6 months the side effects have escalated to flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and neuropathy issues, which make me sick for 10-12 days a month. I have decided to discontinue the medication, it’s no longer working for me, and I’m not going to sacrifice my well-being for these side effects. They can be debilitating. I think it works for a short period of time, but not long term. Hopefully, these symptoms will disappear soon."

5 / 10
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  • Tru...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 29, 2024

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Lowers cholesterol—very good on this. Side effects: I am miserable for at least two days, sometimes a week or more, with flu-like symptoms, back pain, muscle and joint pain, headaches, itching rash, mysterious internal pain, fatigue. I check often to see if another med has been discovered because I am worse off with statins, and the rash is worse too. I suspect Repatha is responsible for the recurrence of shingles and PHN that I have."

6 / 10
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  • DJK...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 24, 2025

For High Cholesterol "Was granted the every 2-week self-injection option. Started 10/24, developed flu-like symptoms, aches, pain, chills. Then, 1 month in, cognitive problems, a rash on my face, and bruises at the injection site. Continued taking, had an appointment with my endocrinologist and found my cholesterol was good, but my A1c was up in the 9s. Lasted one more injection, felt worse, called the doctor, and stopped taking Repatha. Now in June 25, I'm still trying to get rid of the rash and get my blood sugar back to normal levels. Have chronic pain in my back and hip. So not worth doing for me."

3 / 10
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  • 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."

1 / 10
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More FAQ

  • mil...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 13, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "After taking Repatha for 17 months, I quit because of severe flu-like symptoms for days after each shot. I had another heart attack resulting in more stents, kept taking Repatha, my hip flexors were so painful, I had to hobble around for months after stopping the drug. I was told if I didn't take it, I would die, but no way can I tolerate Repatha or statins. I guess I am waiting for the next new drug."

2 / 10
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  • 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?"

1 / 10
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  • Non...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 7, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I was leery about starting a drug that hasn't been on the market that long and also my distrust for pharmaceutical companies. Repatha worked and brought down my LDL, but there is a cost. In the beginning, I'd just have cold symptoms and some fatigue, which only lasted a few days, but with time I would eventually develop more side effects that lasted longer, such as PVCs, and now I get burning in my feet, hands, and throughout my body. The doctor said I may have neuropathy, but when tested at the time, it showed no damage. I'd stop Repatha for two months and everything would settle down, but my fear of having a heart attack would cause me to try it again. I have taken two more shots, and now the burning is back, and I had flu-like symptoms that have caused me to stop exercising and miss some days of work too. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I don't want to live my life suffering like this. I also don't like when doctors don't want to put the blame on the medication that they know nothing about."

5 / 10
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  • 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."

1 / 10
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  • del...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 9, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I injected this drug on August 10, 2018. The next morning, I felt like I had the flu with my hands and face swollen. Then 4 days later, horrific diarrhea. After that, horrific mucus from coughing and horrific back pain. Now I have problems with my stomach - I can't eat, drink, or burp, it feels like my stomach is dying along with my colon - horrific swelling in my stomach. I have been rushed to the hospital twice due to an allergic reaction to Repatha, it has also given me an autoimmune disease. This drug is dangerous. I feel like my organs are dying. My doctor is trying different meds to reverse the side effects, but nothing is working. Please be careful, I wish I had researched this drug before taking it. Now I'm bedridden, and it's September 9, 2018, and I am still experiencing side effects."

1 / 10
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  • Jam...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 21, 2019

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Please beware of this medication. I started Repatha, then I had pain in all joints, atrial fib. I was at a point where I felt I was going to die. I had used about four injections. I cannot remember anytime in my life so bad. It took about four months to return to normal. Stupidly, I then tried a 50% reduction of dose with the same family of drug. After one injection, I began to have difficulty swallowing, and then the flu and arthralgia started. I began to suffer atrial fib on and off again. I had been stable for years before Repatha. I didn't take a second injection, I am now about four months down the line and just about recovering back to normal. In my case, simply this medication had horrific side effects. Repatha must be aware of these reactions in some patients. Only a matter of time before something terrible happens to someone, although they will have all the nomenclature to head that off at the pass. Be careful and safe. Good luck, James."

1 / 10
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  • Lor...
  • November 3, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I was prescribed Repatha after having side effects from statins. I was totally off statins when I started. For the first injection, I had some mild cold/flu symptoms for just a couple of days, very mild. I had my second injection on a Thursday, and by Tuesday the next week, I had cold and flu-like symptoms, neck and back pain, and was in bed for three weeks. At first, I didn't even connect it to being side effects of Repatha, but then I remembered when they briefed me, the PA saying cold and flu-like symptoms. So, I started doing some research, and I had every side effect listed with the exception of high blood pressure. It is now almost 3 months since my last injection. My migraine, which in the past had basically gone, has recurred. I also have sinus pressure, neck ache, and lower back ache, aching hands feeling arthritic, urgency to urinate, and extreme fatigue. My internist said it could take about six months to get out of my body. I pray she's right. This is life-altering in a negative way for me. Incredibly frustrated."

1 / 10
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  • Mik...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 5, 2018

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "Started injecting Repatha 4 months ago. Got IBS and now appear to be gluten intolerant. Don’t know if it’s a coincidence or linked to the medication. Feels like flu symptoms without the runny nose most of the time. Ache so much after going to the gym."

7 / 10
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42 Report
  • Sun...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 27, 2024

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I'm having my doubts about Repatha. At first it was okay, but now I have to get lung function tests. I've had a constant cough for months. I think docs are considering a lung biopsy, and my labs came back high for an allergy in my blood. I also have cold-like symptoms, so even though cholesterol is down to 110, I might stop this for a couple of months. I take 140 twice a month."

5 / 10
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  • eag...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 15, 2018

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Started Repatha just about this time last year. A couple of days after the first injection, I developed diarrhea, always tired, runny nose, and fits of sneezing. Numb spot on my left thigh from the injection. Felt like I had the flu all the time. Skin problems and a few other things. My cardiologist said I would adjust to Repatha, I never did adjust. I quit Repatha in April of 2018, it's now 11/2018. I still have the side effects I listed above. I have to wonder if side effects are permanent. The manufacturer hasn't returned any of my doctor's phone calls. Anyone thought about legal action?"

3 / 10
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  • B n...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 14, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have been on Repatha since 12/18. Initially, I had no side effects. Then, after several injections, lower back pain, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. After my last injection (3 weeks ago), I developed a sore throat with redness and sores. My mouth and tongue are sore as well. Has anyone else had the throat and mouth issues?"

4 / 10
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34 Report
  • Dis...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • November 15, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Been on Repatha. Had all symptoms of side effects with flu-like symptoms with aches and pains. Got sick last month, thought it was pneumonia, had a chest X-ray, showed something on lung, now PET scan and have a mass. That’s right, cancer that spread to my lungs. Bet it’s this damn drug since it causes respiratory infections. So when is Amgen Pharma and the FDA going to come out with this? They have reports on lung cancer. No doubt it’s the Repatha that caused my lung cancer. I was fine until I started this. It’s poison. You’re only a guinea pig."

2 / 10
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29 Report
  • So ...
  • December 3, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I started Repatha 1 month ago. This medicine has made me so sick, I can’t hardly function. Nausea, bad diarrhea, muscle aches, flu-like symptoms, overall, just fatigued. Please don’t take this medicine, it is terrible. I stopped taking it 1 week ago, and it’s still making me so sick."

1 / 10
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  • del...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 23, 2018

For High Cholesterol "This drug is horrific. I have developed diarrhea, back pain, bloody, watery stool, sick at my stomach, weakness, and flu symptoms. You name the side effect - I got them. I'm coughing so hard I poop myself. Do not take this vile stuff... I give it a 0."

1 / 10
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31 Report
  • Car...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 13, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I started using Repatha a year ago, and I was experiencing a bad cough and flu symptoms shortly after each injection. I didn’t want to think it was the Repatha because it lowered my cholesterol to an amazing number! I continued taking it most of the time unless I wasn’t feeling well. In the fall, I started getting a bad cold every few weeks and sometimes a fever... I still didn’t want to blame it on the Repatha. I’ve had three colds in the last six weeks, and now I’m experiencing flu symptoms and another bad cough! I am normally a healthy person! I now think it’s the Repatha. I can’t live like this, being sick all the time!! I will go off the Repatha... ugh."

2 / 10
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27 Report
  • eag...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 9, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I started Repatha in Oct 2017. I immediately developed diarrhea. My doctor said to continue using it, saying I would adjust to it. I never did, so I stopped Repatha in April, and now I still have the problem. Also, it was like giving myself the flu every time I did the injection. Undergoing a battery of tests now."

1 / 10
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26 Report
  • ten...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 5, 2017

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "High cholesterol (425 total) for all adult life-diagnosed at 35, went through every LDL lowering drug as they were new to market. Some lowered as much as 100 points, numbers still very high. Triple bypass surgery exactly 2 years ago, cardiologist started me on Repatha when it was released 1 year ago. The first 3 months I battled flu and colds. It seemed my immunity was lowered. I was very run down and started on B12 and Vitamin C. I tried to resume a somewhat active life this past summer and became exhausted very quickly. Still working on building strength and staying healthy! Tests show total cholesterol at 165 (!) Wow. Thankful for Repatha, my supportive family & amazing results!"

10 / 10
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33 Report
  • ten...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 5, 2017

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "High cholesterol (425 total) for all adult life-diagnosed at 35, went through every LDL lowering drug as they were new to market. Some lowered as much as 100 points, numbers still very high. Triple bypass surgery exactly 2 years ago, cardiologist started me on Repatha when it was released 1 year ago. The first 3 months I battled flu and colds. It seemed my immunity was lowered. I was very run down and started on B12 and Vitamin C. I tried to resume a somewhat active life this past summer and became exhausted very quickly. Still working on building strength and staying healthy! Tests show total cholesterol at 165 (!) Wow. Thankful for Repatha, my supportive family & amazing results!"

10 / 10
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33 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.