how does this medication work? what will it do for me?
inclisiran belongs to the class of medications called pcsk9 inhibitors. it blocks a protein in the liver, which allows the liver to remove more low-density lipoproteins (ldl or "bad" cholesterol) and fatty substances called triglycerides from the blood. it also raises the levels of high-density lipoproteins (hdl or "good" cholesterol).
inclisiran is used in addition to diet and other cholesterol-lowering medications to lower ldl levels for adults who have heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (hefh). it is also used to reduce ldl levels for people with non-familial hypercholesterolemia who have heart disease characterized by narrowing of the blood vessels due to plaque buildup, or hardening of the arteries.
this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
what form(s) does this medication come in?
each pre-filled syringe of 1.5 ml sterile solution contains 284 mg of inclisiran (equivalent to 300 mg inclisiran sodium). nonmedicinal ingredients: phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection.
how should i use this medication?
inclisiran is given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection by your doctor. the starting dose is 284 mg injected subcutaneously every 3 months for the first 2 doses, after which it is injected every 6 months.
many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
it is important this medication be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. if you miss an appointment to receive inclisiran, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
who should not take this medication?
do not take this medication if you are allergic to inclisiran or any ingredients of the medication.
what side effects are possible with this medication?
many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- back pain
- cough
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- increased frequency of the common cold
- joint pain and stiffness
- muscle spasms
- nausea
- pain in the hands and feet
- pain, redness, or rash at the injection site
- trouble sleeping
although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- asthma symptoms (e.g., wheezing, shortness of breath, cough)
- signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
- symptoms of pneumonia (e.g., fever or chills, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, cough)
- symptoms of a urinary tract infection (e.g., pain when urinating, urinating more often than usual, low back or flank pain)
some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.
diabetes: inclisiran may cause a loss of blood sugar control, and glucose tolerance may change. people with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using this medication.
if you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
pregnancy: this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
breast-feeding: it is not known if inclisiran passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
children: the safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
what other drugs could interact with this medication?
tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. in many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/leqvio