OT PCSK9 Inhibitors

[pdonk]

As part of my ongoing mystery sickness, I visited a cardiologist today. As with other Dr's, he expressed concern about my cholesterol levels.

His suggestion for treatment was not statin, but injectable PCSK9 inhibitors. The most interesting aspect of this treatment is that it nay be possible to only have 2 or 3 injections per year.

Anyone here on a drug such as leqvio or repatha? What has your experience been like? Side effects?

On a side note, strava is effective when talking to drs and being able to quantify that uou actually excercise and the intensity.

[Plum Hill]

I’ve been told I should go on Repatha. I’m not really into self-injection.
I was told it’s either two self-injections (using an autoinjector) per month or one injection at a doctor’s office once a month.
I have not heard anything about two or three injections per year.

Others on the forum are on Repatha.
Waiting for them to reply.

[Ralph]

I'm on Repatha. Was on Praluent before. Then insurance company changed the formulary and replaced with Repatha. My cardiologist doesn't prefer one over the other. Take the injection every two weeks. No side effects at all for me. Had terrible side effects with statins.

I think the word "injection" is a little misleading. You do use the disposable injector pen, but it's not really painful. Just barely under the skin. I do it on my thigh. Just clean a spot with wipe, and press pin against the skin so nose of pen recedes, and push the injector button on top. Keep the window of pen facing me, so I can see the contents go in, then I count to 5, and pull it away. Usually not a sign of blood. Store it in fridge, until about 30 minutes before use, to let it warm up. Great instructions are in package. Watch your diet, and you can get LDL to around 50. (my cardiologist says some studies show some plaque reversal if you can get LDL to around 50 or lower.

On my Medicare Advantage plan, my drug company is CVS Caremark, and if I have it sent to a CVS pharmacy, they give me the mail order price (needs refrigeration...so can't mail to my home), $40 for 3 months. Other pharmacies $60 for 3 months. Have no idea how other insurance works. There are some newer drugs in this class I believe, but this is the one my United Health plan covers. My cardiologist office works out the approval and Rx is for a year at a time.