LEQVIO

Indications

Inclisiran is used in adults to lower LDL cholesterol (the so called bad cholesterol) in people with primary high cholesterol, including inherited familial hypercholesterolaemia, or mixed high blood fats, and in people with heart and blood vessel disease. It is used together with a cholesterol lowering diet and usually with a statin such as Atorvastatin or Rosuvastatin, or alone or with other medicines such as Ezetimibe when a statin is not tolerated or not suitable.

How It Works

Inclisiran is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) medicine that is taken up by liver cells. There it switches off the instructions for making a protein called PCSK9. With less PCSK9, the liver keeps more LDL receptors on its surface and removes more LDL cholesterol from the blood. Because the effect lasts a long time, injections are needed only twice a year after the first doses.

Dosage and Administration

Inclisiran is given as prescribed, as an injection under the skin of the abdomen, upper arm or thigh by a doctor or nurse. After the first dose, a second dose is given 3 months later, and then one dose every 6 months. If a dose is missed, contact your doctor so it can be rescheduled. Continue diet and other cholesterol medicines as advised.

Interactions

No important drug interactions are expected, as inclisiran is not processed by the usual liver enzymes that break down many medicines. It is commonly used with statins and Ezetimibe. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you take.

Contraindications

• Allergy to inclisiran or any ingredient of the injection.

Side Effects

Common: reactions at the injection site such as pain, redness or rash. Other reported effects include joint pain, back pain, chest infections, urinary tract infections and pain in the arms or legs. Serious allergic reactions are rare.

Get urgent medical help for swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, a widespread rash, or fainting after an injection.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Inclisiran is not recommended during pregnancy, as there is little information and lowering cholesterol is not needed during pregnancy. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk; the doctor will decide whether to stop breastfeeding or the medicine.

Precautions and Warnings

Your doctor will check cholesterol levels after starting treatment. Use with care in severe liver or kidney impairment, as there is limited experience. Inclisiran works alongside, not instead of, healthy eating, exercise, not smoking and control of blood pressure and diabetes.

Overdose

Overdose is unlikely because it is given by health professionals. No specific harm has been seen with higher doses in studies; if an overdose occurs, the person is monitored and treated as needed.

Therapeutic Class

Lipid lowering agent, PCSK9 directed small interfering RNA

Storage

Store below 30°C. Do not freeze. Keep in the original pack and out of the reach of children; usually kept by the clinic, as directed on the pack.