Praluent and Cramps: What Users Say

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I have Myasthenia Gravis and Praluent initially flared my condition within 3 days of taking this, this has subsided several weeks later. With respect to side effects, I have neck, shoulder, back, and leg pain, cramping, nausea, severe fatigue, weakness in legs, and finally can't leave out the cough. I had a similar reaction to Repatha. I thought I would give Praluent a go. Half-life is super long, 17 - 20 days... so, this will be fun. There's no way I will continue this. It's amazing how FDA could pass this stuff. I would like to sift through the clinical trial data... the real data."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2020

For High Cholesterol "79-year-old male, 10 days ago had one injection of Praluent 150mg, within 24 hours, right shoulder and back pain. Constant severe pain the first week could only sleep on my back. Up many times during the night, pain so severe. Four days after, went to the primary doctor, got anti-inflammatory medicine, steroid injection, which did nothing. Seven days after the injection, severe pain in the right shoulder, went to the ER, received a cortisone injection, got minor relief for a few hours. Now, 13 days after the injection, pain in the right shoulder is still bad, with minor moments of reduced pain. Hopefully with time?? I also cannot forget runny nose, cramps in legs, very weak as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I began to have severe muscular and skeletal pain but thought it was arthritis. After use, it became more pronounced. Both hips hurt, my legs cramped and tingled, and I would have diarrhea 2/3 times a week. Finally, I quit taking the drug and still have the same symptoms 4 months later. Fatigue and weakness in both legs still are present, as well as pain in both arms. I don't know how long this will continue, but I hope that it goes away soon. Never had this problem before."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "62 yr-old female with heterozygous familial on statins - 20 mg Crestor - and ezetrol. After strict diet and exercise, total cholesterol down from 6.8 to 2.1. Started on Praluent bi-weekly in June. Although my LDL plummeted to 0.06, severe muscle spasms, pain, and cramps kept increasing: knee, thigh, ankle, next leg, and eventually upper arm. No more gym, chronic pain, sleepless nights, painful to stand or walk. Requested to be taken off a week ago. 3 weeks since my last shot and improving each day. Please God let the statins work better."

• Mar...
• June 10, 2023

For High Cholesterol "This medication (Praluent) sent me to the hospital for three and a half days with pneumonia and UTI. After injecting the second dose, I felt like I had injected poison into my body. The body pain and cramping were horrible, and there will be no third injection EVER."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2022

For High Cholesterol "Like so many other patients, I had unfortunate side effects too. Muscle pain, legs, arms, even feet and neck pain. Worst, my hands are really hurting me, getting cramps, especially at night, no way to sleep properly. I just took medication for only 3 months. Right now, I am taking nothing to get rid of all these side effects. I hope it will be better, I don't know what will come next. After all these readings, I get the idea that all the patients using these drugs are 'guinea pigs' to try out this medication. It is very expensive and costs the health system a lot of money. Why is this drug still on the market? I feel for anyone of you out there and hope one day you will be pain-free again."

• JJ2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I have been on this drug for 3 months. Every time I inject---for 36 hours I get leg pain and hand cramps and feel very tired. I am unable to sleep due to the leg pain, and both hands have severe spasms. Joints seem to be getting worse with movement in tennis and pickleball. I am going to see my doctor and stop this medication. I will have to do diet alone because all statins cause body spasms and cramps."

• JJ2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I have been on this drug for 3 months. Every time I inject---for 36 hours I get leg pain and hand cramps and feel very tired. I am unable to sleep due to the leg pain, and both hands have severe spasms. Joints seem to be getting worse with movement in tennis and pickleball. I am going to see my doctor and stop this medication. I will have to do diet alone because all statins cause body spasms and cramps."

• Gar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I'm a 71 yo Caucasian male with a diagnosis of PAD, atherosclerosis, and hyperlipidemia. I can't tolerate statins due to severe muscle cramping and was prescribed Praluent soon after it was approved by the FDA. Aside from minor leg cramping, which is controlled by ingesting a banana a day, and a runny nose for 24-48 hours after injection, my total cholesterol has dropped from 300+ to less than 100! I'm VERY pleased with its results!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I injected the 1st dose of Praluent and had no side effects, and 2 weeks later I injected the second dose. Three hours later, my whole body was experiencing terrible cramping, headaches, fever, and chills. Two days later, I was in the hospital with pneumonia (never in my life had I had pneumonia), UTI infection. I haven’t had a UTI infection in over 25 years, never before had a potassium problem, and while in the hospital, it went down."

• HUG...
• March 6, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I have been on Praluent for about 18 months. Had some cramping in my hands. Ended up in the hospital last week with cellulitis. The infectious disease doctor said it happened when I gave myself the Praluent shot and it malfunctioned. I am thinking about seeing an attorney as I was in severe pain for several weeks. I am 75 years old."

• ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I've had multiple TIA strokes. GP needed to get my bad cholesterol down from 8.6. My family reacts poorly to statins. My cardiologist put me on Praluent, cholesterol is just at a safe level. My dose is 75 mg every two weeks. The only noticeable side effect was calf cramps, which wake me up, treated with magnesium glycinate. The cardiologist wanted me at a lower bad cholesterol. I am now on 150 mg every two weeks. My calf cramps have returned at night, but I have developed a dry cough. My myotherapist said my neck muscles are very tight. Hoping the cough eases off. Used Epsom salt foot bath, this has eased the cramp as I didn't want to take more magnesium by mouth. I'll let you know the outcome of the higher dose after I see the cardiologist. I need to drink much more water to keep my blood pressure normal. Cheers."

• pkw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I have experienced the following side effects during the 6 months of use: bad muscle spasms and cramps during the day and more at night. Continual skin rashes with severe itching. I feel the very minimal benefit of reducing my cholesterol by a small amount is not worth putting up with the diminished sleep quality due to muscular problems and itching skin. I don't think this drug has any proven benefits for my situation."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I'm experiencing a lot of hand, shoulder, and leg cramps. My legs feel heavy going up and down stairs. I've only had two injections and am debating on taking a third, which is due today at 75 mg. The side effects are worse than the pill. Runny nose and back of throat are dry."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I'm experiencing a lot of hand, shoulder, and leg cramps. My legs feel heavy going up and down stairs. I've only had two injections and am debating on taking a third, which is due today at 75 mg. The side effects are worse than the pill. Runny nose and back of throat are dry."

• eay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2023

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I am a 56-year-old man with familial hypercholesterolemia. I had an MI of my LADCA at 46 and have had several stents and three coronary arterial grafts. Despite over 10 years of 80 mg atorvastatin daily, my LDLs were not lowering sufficiently even with a low cholesterol diet. I have been taking Praluent for 5 months now, and the reactions are worsening with every dose. I am at work now typing this. I initially looked at the side effects 3-4 hours after my initial dose as my muscles were twitching and crampy. Now I'm looking for verification of the severe musculoskeletal pain and arthritis-like symptoms in my hands. I generally experience 3-4 days of feeling terrible when I take my dose, but the severity of the symptoms over that time has increased noticeably. I am lethargic and weak, as well as the above symptoms. I have an appointment with my PCP tomorrow and will definitely be discussing this with him even though it was prescribed by my cardiologist."