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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Injectable Medications Advisable To Lower The Cholesterol Levels?

My doctor wants me to use an injectable medication to lower my cholesterol. I have been on Crestor and taking red yeast rice and cholesteroff but hey are not lowering my cholesterol as much as my doctor would like. There is a trial drug called Prevalent. I would like to know it s mode of action and side effects.
Mon, 30 Jan 2017
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for using HCM.
I think your doctor wants to try the drug called "praluent"(not prevalent).Praluent is a brand name of the drug named ALIROCUMAB.
It's a newer class of anti-cholesterol drugs recently approved by FDA.Praluent is used to treat hypercholesterolemia in patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by usual oral drugs.
ALIROCUMAB works by a unique mechanism.It belong to a newer class of drugs called Monoclonal AntiBodies (mab at the tail end stands for monoclonal antibodies).
Mode of action is complex.ALIROCUMAB act by inhibiting a protein named PCSK9,which in turn prevent the degradation of cholesterol receptors.So more cholesterol is removed from circulation.
Side effects are very mild according to recent trials which includes injection site reaction,nausea,gastric disturbances etc.
One problem with this drug is its high cost.You have to spend around 2000$ per month!
Hope I have addressed your query.
Wishing you good health.

With regards
Dr Shinas Hussain
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Are Injectable Medications Advisable To Lower The Cholesterol Levels?

Hi, Thanks for using HCM. I think your doctor wants to try the drug called praluent (not prevalent).Praluent is a brand name of the drug named ALIROCUMAB. It s a newer class of anti-cholesterol drugs recently approved by FDA.Praluent is used to treat hypercholesterolemia in patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by usual oral drugs. ALIROCUMAB works by a unique mechanism.It belong to a newer class of drugs called Monoclonal AntiBodies (mab at the tail end stands for monoclonal antibodies). Mode of action is complex.ALIROCUMAB act by inhibiting a protein named PCSK9,which in turn prevent the degradation of cholesterol receptors.So more cholesterol is removed from circulation. Side effects are very mild according to recent trials which includes injection site reaction,nausea,gastric disturbances etc. One problem with this drug is its high cost.You have to spend around 2000$ per month! Hope I have addressed your query. Wishing you good health. With regards Dr Shinas Hussain