Is Leqvio FDA approved as a high cholesterol treatment?

Leqvio and Repatha are both injectable medicines that are used for the treatment of high cholesterol, by specifically lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Although they both inhibit PCSK9 they work by different mechanisms. Repatha is a monoclonal antibody that binds directly to PCSK9 in the liver preventing it from binding to LDL receptors. Leqvio blocks the PCSK9 protein by interfering with the translation of PCSK9 messenger RNA. Both have the same result – and that is freeing up LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells which allows LDL cholesterol to be removed from the blood.

The PCSK9 inhibitors are used for the treatment of high-risk patients with elevated cholesterol, especially when statins aren't adequate. They work by blocking PCSK9, leaving more receptors available to capture your "bad" cholesterol (LDL) for break down and removal from the blood. Continue reading

Leqvio is typically prescribed with a statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or pravastatin, in addition to a heart-healthy diet. Leqvio can be prescribed without a statin, if statins are not tolerated or contraindicated. In this situation, your doctor may recommend a different treatment to lower your cholesterol, such as ezetimibe (Zetia), or Leqvio may be used alone. Continue reading