The difference between Leqvio and Repatha is Repatha, is a monoclonal antibody drug and injection that is an immunotherapy medication for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Evolocumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9.
Leqvio, is a medication and injection used for the treatment of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and for the treatment of people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, ASCVD risk-equivalents, and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
Repatha is also given and dosed one to two times per month, which is less frequently than traditional cholesterol-lowering medications, like statins.
Leqvio is administered twice yearly following the initial loading dose.
Leqvio is just as effective as Repatha although they work differently and also have different dosing schedules.
Repatha actually works better than Leqvio as Repatha has been proven to reduce cholesterol by 60 percent and Leqvio has been proven to reduce LDL-C by around 50 percent.
Fatigue is a possible side effect of Leqvio which can also include dizziness and dark colored urine.
If the fatigue does not go away on it's own or gets worse when taking Leqvio you should tell your doctor.
Side effects of LEQVIO include vomiting or nausea, itching, skin rash, pale red bumps called hives, trouble swallowing or throat tightness, swelling of the throat, tongue, mouth, lips and face, swollen lymph nodes, fever or general ill feeling, racing heart, breathing problems and or wheezing.
Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant cannot take Leqvio as it can cause harm to the unborn baby and cause complications with the pregnancy.
People who qualifies for Leqvio are adults that have primary hyperlipidemia which includes heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
Primary hyperlipidemia is high cholesterol that is caused by certain genetic disorders.
Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not take or be given Leqvio.
Leqvio is part B and covered under Medicare Part B because it's administered to you by a doctor although the coverage for Leqvio can vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and the payer.
Medicare will pay for Leqvio since the Leqvio injection is given to you by your doctor.
Leqvio injections costs $3,606.11 per injection and is covered by Medicare and most other health insurances.
Leqvio is an injection for treating cholesterol and is the only cholesterol lowering medication that is given to you by your doctor every 6 months after 2 initial doses.
Leqvio is given twice yearly or every 6 months after the 2 initial doses given by your doctor.
Leqvio which is the brand name for inclisiran is a medication that is used for the treatment of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and for the treatment of people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, ASCVD risk-equivalents, and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
The cost of Leqvio per injection is $3,606.11
The drug Leqvio is not a statin as Leqvio belongs to a drug class called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs).
Both statins and siRNAs help lower cholesterol, but they work in different ways.
However Leqvio is typically prescribed with a statin drug.
Leqvio can cause possible side effects that range from mild to serious.
Examples of side effects from Leqvio include injection site reactions and diarrhea.
Leqvio is used to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol).
LEQVIO is covered by Medicare and most other health insurance because it is a medication that is administered by a doctor or other health care provider, so it is covered under traditional Medicare, also called Part B.