Praluent and Itching: What Users Say

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I cannot tolerate statins, so my cardiologist suggested Praluent 75 mg every two weeks. After the first injection, I began to have a burning sensation and irritation on my lips and in my mouth. This progressed to itching on my body, followed by a burning skin sensation on my arms and legs as well. I also have muscle and joint pain and aching, as well as dizziness. Both the doctor and pharmacist said to stop it because it seems to be an allergic reaction. I can't comment on effectiveness because I only took one dose. Symptoms are persisting after two weeks, and I hope they end soon. I am sensitive to many drugs but was hoping I could tolerate this, so I am disappointed. My cholesterol is not that high, usually, LDL is around 100 or slightly less with no medication. So I will continue to watch my diet carefully and hope for the best."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I am a 64-yr-old female. I did my first shot yesterday. Had to go to ER with very high BP, rapid heartbeats, swollen eyelids, jittery, head and neck pain, itching, red skin. It was a negative experience."

• jun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2024

For High Cholesterol "I have stopped taking injections which were every 2 weeks. I have itching all over, tingling all over, mouth ulcers, walking problems, pains in legs. I am passing urine more often. I have stopped only 4 days ago. I told the doctor who gave this to me, and he said to stop taking it and see what happens. I have to have a second blood test (full one) next week as the first one was incorrect or had queries. I have been taking this medication for approximately 2 years now. Although it brought my cholesterol right down, I feel I can control it with diet as it's not worth the effects I am having. I have read it takes up to 100 days for it to clear the system."

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2024

For High Cholesterol "Been taking shots for 4 months. My eyes are very red, so I bought eye drops, did not help. Have back pain and upper thigh pain and itching. It lowered everything, but I can't take the tiredness anymore. I want to sleep all the time. This stuff is evil. Now I have to wait 100 days to get it out of my system."

• Bon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2023

For High Cholesterol "Been taking 150 mg of Praluent for 2 months now. The first month was perfectly fine, had no problems as I inject it in my thigh areas. However, I got a big welt and itching in that area from the third injection. I changed the injection site to my other thigh for the fourth injection and had the same side effect. Showed my cardiologist when I went in for a follow-up, but they did not seem concerned as levels were down. I’m allergic to all statins and had to try something, will continue if this is all that happens. I can tolerate it with anti-itch cream. I will discontinue, though, if more side effects appear. Will see what happens in my third month. I’m 71 years old and have had 2 stents over 21 years. My high cholesterol numbers just jumped in the last year, possibly due to age as I’m a healthy eater and I exercise three times a week. Will update again in 2-3 months."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

For High Cholesterol "1st injection was so dangerous for me, my throat started closing, my airway and barely could breathe, I broke out in large hives all over my body with severe itching. Wife rushed me to hospital treatment to take the swelling down, and by 24 hours later, the hives were still there with itching. Took about 4 days of misery for it to go away. What a bunch of poison. Stay away from this bad drug."

• No ...
• December 17, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "HORRIBLE BREAKOUT. I have heart disease and cholesterol of 151 - every statin has horrible side effects on me, so the cardiologist wanted me on Rapatha, but insurance would only cover Praluent. I've tried 4 times now to go along with cholesterol meds, and this did it in for me. I injected in my right thigh about 9 PM, woke up at midnight with stomach pain so severe I thought about the hospital - it finally subsided. Two hours later, I awoke to a horrible itching on my right calf, and turning the lights on, it looked like a horrible bite or infection. By the next morning, my left leg broke out in a severe dark purple bubbled rash all over. Then my torso broke out with shingles. Multiple visits to my GP and dermatologist, and all concur this was absolutely the Praluent. Looking online, rashes and shingles can be side effects. My dermatologist said it made me break out in eczema, psoriasis, and shingles at the same time. I'm on high doses of Prednisone and topical heavy-duty steroids and an antiviral."

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2022

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "I'm 82 y.o. female. High cholesterol is in my family, and no one has died of a heart attack. I tried statins and Ezetimibe with troubling side effects - pain and fatigue in legs and a high muscle enzyme number. Then the cardiologist put me on Praluent, and after several months, I began having a large welt at the injection site with every injection. Then I started getting a rash with blisters on my legs that itched. I also began having pain and fatigue in my legs again. I had my veins checked, my hips checked, and an MRI of my back (possible stenosis the orthopedist thought). Everything checked out fine! Had a biopsy done on the rash and was told it was from some allergy. I stopped taking the Praluent, and a month later, the pain in my legs is 99% gone, and the rash has subsided. The Praluent definitely lowered my cholesterol, but I don't tolerate it well."

• 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."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2022

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I started taking Praluent 75 mg in March of 2020. It immediately gave me the best cholesterol numbers of my life. The cardio wanted LDL even lower, so he put me on 150 mg every 2 weeks. For one year, I took this dose with small side effects. It definitely agitated my sinuses, and I used to get phantom smells, which could be sinus-related. Fast forward to February 2021, I got my first Pfizer COVID vaccination and developed severe itching of the hands starting 3 days after the Praluent injection, lasting 3-4 days. Over the few months, it got worse, so we went back to 75 mg. Itching stopped for a couple of months, then it started doing it again on the 75 mg. By August 2021, I was itching from 3 days after injection to 1 day prior to the next injection 2 weeks later. I stopped the med in August 21. My numbers went through the roof. My LDL was higher than it had ever been. I believe there is a rebound effect when you stop this med. Can't take statins. Repatha gave me gastritis. So I'm back trying to get on Praluent again."

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Took 16 days ago, start to itch after I took it. Next day, felt flu symptoms, became very fatigued for the 2 weeks. I never took the 2nd shot. Broke out 4 days ago with a rash on my arms, went to legs, now stomach started with little bite-like lumps, then small bumps that burn and itch badly. I went to doctors, and they gave me cream that made it burn more. Used baking soda and cortisone, helped itching for a while, and ice packs. Finally went to the hospital, said have to ride it through because I'm allergic to it. Taking Benadryl, taking Claritin, hope this helps. Praluent did lower my cholesterol in 6 days, dropped 40 points, however, I will never take it again. I am in such discomfort. Does anyone else have this problem? I am sensitive to most medicines. I tried Crestor and Lipitor years ago, legs hurt so bad had to stop. I was disappointed, I finally thought I found something I could take, but the rash is so uncomfortable and could last a while. Please let me know if anyone had this problem."

• Lil...
• September 15, 2021

For High Cholesterol "While Praluent did lower my cholesterol and my doctor is happy with the results. I cannot live with the injection side effects. For days after each shot (which hurts), my leg has a red welt and burns and itches."

• CBP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 13, 2024

For High Cholesterol "Benefits: 1) Reduced cholesterol. 2) Easy to use. Negatives: 1) Local swelling, redness, and itching in the area around the injection. 2) Memory/confusion issues!"

• mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2023

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Lowered my cholesterol to acceptable levels. I was not able to do this with statins and diet. I had some side effects, which include sleeplessness, itchy legs, night sweats, and chest tightness."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2023

For High Cholesterol "It has really lowered my numbers a lot! Total cholesterol was 210, now 125. I have had injection site itching, swelling, and redness."