Are PCSK9 inhibitors better than statins?

Conclusions: PCSK9 inhibitors were the most effective lipid-lowering agents in improving lipid levels. Furthermore, PCSK9 inhibitors achieved similar CV benefits like statins, while PCSK9 inhibitors were not associated with any increased risk of statin-related side-effects.

Should you take a statin with Repatha?

Repatha is sometimes used with a statin for treating high cholesterol that can’t be lowered with a statin alone. If you experience muscle pain while taking Repatha, talk with your doctor. They may have you try a different medication to treat your condition.

What is the expected reduction in LDL on combination therapy with a statin and PCSK9 inhibitor?

Combined therapy with statins provides an incremental reduction in LDL-C levels of 15–20\%, leading to a total LDL-C reduction by 34–61\%, as previously mentioned [3].

Are statins PCSK9 inhibitors?

Two types of medications prescribed to treat high cholesterol include statins and PCSK9 inhibitors. Statins are a popular treatment that have been available since the 1980s. PCSK9 inhibitors, on the other hand, are a new type of cholesterol drug. They were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015.

What is the benefit of a PCSK9 inhibitor?

PCSK9 inhibitors (sometimes also shown as PCSK9i) are a new type of medicine for lowering cholesterol in the blood. PCSK9 is a protein that’s made in the liver. Research has shown that people with high levels of PCSK9 tend to have high cholesterol throughout their lives and develop heart disease early.

Is Repatha better than a statin?

Yes, Repatha is effective at reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels when taken on its own, without an additional statin.

Why is Repatha so expensive?

Repatha and Praluent are especially expensive because they would be taken for such a long time. Unlike an antibiotic, which patients take for a few days or weeks, those prescribed Repatha would take it for the rest of their lives.

How do statins work?

Statins are drugs that can lower your cholesterol. They work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. Lowering cholesterol isn’t the only benefit associated with statins. These medications have also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

What combination therapy with a statin if any would you recommend?

Niacin or fenofibrate is effective in normalizing high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels persisting after statin therapy.

How do statins affect PCSK9?

Statins decrease hepatic intracellular cholesterol, resulting in increased LDLRs as well as increased PCSK9 protein. There is a clear dose-response effect of statin treatment on PCSK9 level, as increasing doses of statins also increase the level of circulating PCSK9.