Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Leqvio?What Is Repatha?Key SimilaritiesKey DifferencesPreventing Side Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Leqvio?
What Is Repatha?
Key Similarities
Key Differences
Preventing Side Effects
Leqvio (inclisiran) and Repatha (evolocumab) are prescription injectable medications used to treat high cholesterol. They work to help reducelow-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or “bad” cholesterol. To do this, they both target the PCSK9 protein but in slightly different ways.
The way they are administered, their slightly different yet unique mechanisms of action, and the conditions they treat set them apart from more traditional LDL-lowering therapies, such as statins.
Close-up of businessman injecting insulin in abdomen in office.Maskot | Getty Images
Maskot | Getty Images
Leqvio is a long-acting, synthetic siRNA that targets proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) production in the liver, causing a reduction in LDL-C.
Leqvio should be avoided during pregnancy due to the potential to cause fetal harm based on its mechanism of action.
Benefits of Leqvio
Some benefits of using Leqvio include:
Side Effects of Leqvio
Some side effects of Leqvio include:
Repatha is a monoclonal antibody targeting PCSK9 to reduce LDL-C. It is one of two medications in thePCSK9 inhibitordrug class.
The FDA approves it for the following conditions:
It is given as an injection into the fatty part of the skin, such as the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Repatha can be administered either every two weeks or once monthly. It is available in three dosage forms: syringe, auto-injector, and on-body infusor. Each delivery device contains a single dose of the medications and is intended to only be used once.
Leqvio can be used for treatment in adults only, while Repatha is approved for use in children as young as 10 years of age.
It is unknown whether or not Repatha is safe to use during pregnancy.
Benefits of Repatha
Some benefits of using Repatha include:
Side Effects of Repatha
Commonly reported side effects of Repatha include:
Angioedemais a severe, life-threatening side effect associated with Repatha use. While this is not a commonly reported side effect, inform your healthcare provider and discontinue treatment immediately if you experience signs of a reaction such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, or anaphylaxis.
The needle cover of the injection device contains a latex derivative. Therefore, Repatha should be used cautiously in those sensitive or allergic to latex due to the potential risk of allergic reactions.
Both Leqvio and Repatha are similar in how they work. They also have favorable side effect profiles. Reported side effects are minimal, and the medications are generally tolerable. Both medications effectively lower LDL-C.
Unfortunately, because these are both newer medications, no generics are currently available. Because older, cheaper medications are available as generics, the use of these newer, brand-only agents may be cost-prohibitive. Consult your healthcare provider and review your prescription insurance coverage to determine your best, most affordable option.
One major difference between Leqvio and Repatha is that Leqvio’s effect on cardiovascular outcomes has not been proven, but research is ongoing. Repatha, however, has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Repatha is dosed one to two times per month, which is less frequently than traditional cholesterol-lowering medications, like statins; however, Leqvio is administered twice yearly following the initial loading dose.
Leqvio is only approved for use when used with a maximally tolerated statin, whereas Repatha can be taken alone.
If you suspect that you may have developed an infection or develop severe side effects, consult your healthcare provider.
Summary
While Leqvio may offer a more convenient dosing schedule that could potentially improve medication adherence, it also poses a barrier for those who may not have transportation or cannot make injection appointments due to scheduling concerns.
The choice between Repatha and Leqvio often boils down to individual patient needs, preferences, cost, and insurance coverage.Ultimately, the decision should be made in collaboration with your healthcare provider to determine which option is best for you.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Repatha.DailyMed.Label: Leqvio - inclisiran injection, solution.Merćep I, Friščić N, Strikić D, Reiner Ž.Advantages and disadvantages of inclisiran: a small interfering ribonucleic acid molecule targeting PCSK9-a narrative review.Cardiovasc Ther. 2022;8129513. doi:10.1155/2022/8129513Xia XD, Peng ZS, Gu HM, Wang M, Wang GQ, Zhang DW.Regulation of PCSK9 expression and function: mechanisms and therapeutic implications.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021;8:764038. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.764038Arnold N, Koenig W.PCSK9 inhibitor wars: how does inclisiran fit in with current monoclonal antibody inhibitor therapy? Considerations for patient selection.Curr Cardiol Rep. 2022;24(11):1657-1667. doi:10.1007/s11886-022-01782-6Sabatine MS, Giugliano RP, Keech AC, et al.Evolocumab and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.N Engl J Med. 2017;376(18):1713-1722. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1615664
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Repatha.DailyMed.Label: Leqvio - inclisiran injection, solution.Merćep I, Friščić N, Strikić D, Reiner Ž.Advantages and disadvantages of inclisiran: a small interfering ribonucleic acid molecule targeting PCSK9-a narrative review.Cardiovasc Ther. 2022;8129513. doi:10.1155/2022/8129513Xia XD, Peng ZS, Gu HM, Wang M, Wang GQ, Zhang DW.Regulation of PCSK9 expression and function: mechanisms and therapeutic implications.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021;8:764038. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.764038Arnold N, Koenig W.PCSK9 inhibitor wars: how does inclisiran fit in with current monoclonal antibody inhibitor therapy? Considerations for patient selection.Curr Cardiol Rep. 2022;24(11):1657-1667. doi:10.1007/s11886-022-01782-6Sabatine MS, Giugliano RP, Keech AC, et al.Evolocumab and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.N Engl J Med. 2017;376(18):1713-1722. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1615664
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Prescribers' Digital Reference.Repatha.DailyMed.Label: Leqvio - inclisiran injection, solution.Merćep I, Friščić N, Strikić D, Reiner Ž.Advantages and disadvantages of inclisiran: a small interfering ribonucleic acid molecule targeting PCSK9-a narrative review.Cardiovasc Ther. 2022;8129513. doi:10.1155/2022/8129513Xia XD, Peng ZS, Gu HM, Wang M, Wang GQ, Zhang DW.Regulation of PCSK9 expression and function: mechanisms and therapeutic implications.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021;8:764038. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.764038Arnold N, Koenig W.PCSK9 inhibitor wars: how does inclisiran fit in with current monoclonal antibody inhibitor therapy? Considerations for patient selection.Curr Cardiol Rep. 2022;24(11):1657-1667. doi:10.1007/s11886-022-01782-6Sabatine MS, Giugliano RP, Keech AC, et al.Evolocumab and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.N Engl J Med. 2017;376(18):1713-1722. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1615664
Prescribers' Digital Reference.Repatha.
DailyMed.Label: Leqvio - inclisiran injection, solution.
Merćep I, Friščić N, Strikić D, Reiner Ž.Advantages and disadvantages of inclisiran: a small interfering ribonucleic acid molecule targeting PCSK9-a narrative review.Cardiovasc Ther. 2022;8129513. doi:10.1155/2022/8129513
Xia XD, Peng ZS, Gu HM, Wang M, Wang GQ, Zhang DW.Regulation of PCSK9 expression and function: mechanisms and therapeutic implications.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021;8:764038. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.764038
Arnold N, Koenig W.PCSK9 inhibitor wars: how does inclisiran fit in with current monoclonal antibody inhibitor therapy? Considerations for patient selection.Curr Cardiol Rep. 2022;24(11):1657-1667. doi:10.1007/s11886-022-01782-6
Sabatine MS, Giugliano RP, Keech AC, et al.Evolocumab and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.N Engl J Med. 2017;376(18):1713-1722. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1615664
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
