Alirocumab and Muscle Pain: What Users Say

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2019

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "I started Praluent 75 mg in June 2019 due to my high cholesterol 270 and LDL 191. I’m female, in my early 60s, and normal weight. It was recommended since I am allergic to statins and had muscle and joint pain from statins. I was so hoping the Praluent would work for me. I didn’t have any issues with the injection, but a day after both times I took the shot, my muscle and joint pain was awful. I could not sleep due to the pain, and even my stomach and ribs ached. My CAD showed 143 with calcification in my descending artery. I’m nervous about having a heart attack or stroke but don’t think I can continue these shots if I am so debilitated afterwards. My doctor wants me to try Repatha, but after reading the side effects and reviews, it sounds even worse. I may just have to try watching my diet. I really don’t know what to do. My cardiologist is surprised that I reacted to this drug."

• Mik...
• June 12, 2019

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "I've had my 2nd injection at 150mg dose last week. Don't know my numbers yet, but the side effects are identical to when I started Crestor drug. My whole body hurts, hard to walk very far without severe muscle pain. Can't sleep because of muscle pain. I feel like death warmed over. Last dose for me."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2022

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "I have had high cholesterol, a genetic gift. I cannot take the statin meds due to debilitating muscle pain, so my specialist suggested I try Praluent. Initially, I was on it with amazing results in lowering my counts, but then the pain started… Everywhere. It would be tolerable after I was up and moving, but so bad it would wake me at night. And it wasn’t just one area, every single area of my body ached terribly. Getting out of bed was pure hell, laying in bed and moving was pure hell. Blood pressure was also elevated on this med, and I even lowered injections to once a month to hopefully use it with positive results. I have now been off of it for 2 months, and I will never use this again. I cannot believe this is put out there for the public to use, you have no life without pain on it. Hope this review helps someone out there. I’m a 65-year-old lady, high cholesterol since 28 years of age."

• Baz...
• October 12, 2018

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "I'm a 64-year-old male. I have had 2 MIs (heart attacks)... first at age 46, the second at age 61 which resulted in me having a CABG x3 (Coronary artery bypass graft surgery - three grafts). I have been taking 75mg Praluent for about 5 months with twice-monthly injections. Over the last few injections, I have noticed a slight increase in muscle pain in legs and lower back. I also feel pain and discomfort in the abdominal area. Has anyone else noticed abdominal discomfort as well?"

• EDB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2017

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "I started taking this drug in Dec 2015 with amazing results! Within a few months, however, I noticed I was feeling ill and had sore muscles, particularly in my upper legs. Because I am a devoted walker, 3-5 miles per day, I began to wonder if it could be the Praluent. My doctor informed me that he had not heard of problems, so I continued to take it. In May this year, a problem arose with insurance availability of this drug for me. Because I was forced to stay off it for a month, all of a sudden, I began to feel better! I mean all tiredness, fatigue, muscle pain were just simply gone! When offered the meds again, I have refused. I was really, really sick from this medicine. This is my own experience. Since then, I have read a lot of blogs where others have experienced the same."

• Unh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2020

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "So I have been on Praluent for a month. I was previously on Repatha doing great, however, my insurance doesn't want to pay for that and made me switch. 2nd dose now has UTI, muscle pain, and daily headaches. I go to my doctor in 2 weeks and see if I can go back to Repatha. I thought from the reviews they are the same, however, these side effects are telling otherwise. By the way, both give me a stuffy nose, but I can live with that one. The other side effects were what I had being on statins, and this is the low dose of Praluent."

• Lak...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2018

Praluent (alirocumab) for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Have genetic high cholesterol plus cardiovascular risk. Taking statins caused myopathy, resulting in terrible muscle aches and pains. I have been on Praluent 75 mg twice monthly for approximately 2 years. I am a very active, soon-to-be 70 years old, however, after sitting at least 10 minutes, it is unbearable to raise my body and start walking, as my body is very stiff. Hard to get my feet to move...I ache from my lower back down to my feet...my insides feel very sore, and I have developed terrible nose sores! I am afraid if I take it much longer, I will be unable to walk. I was hoping that the Praluent was safe for me, and in the beginning of using Praluent, I was pleased with the thought of it lowering my cholesterol and having no side effects. Not sure what to do now!"

• Ale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 5, 2020

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Praluent did a great job of lowering my cholesterol. In fact, it lowered my LDL to below normal readings. Unfortunately, I developed chronic, painful side effects. I had deep bone and muscle pain that kept me up through the night. High doses of Advil and Zopiclone couldn't address the pain and allow for sleep. It's been three months off this drug, and I'm able to sleep 6 hours with no medication. The bone pain I was experiencing is much reduced and doesn't set in until the morning. I will be relieved when my system is completely free of this drug."

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

Praluent (alirocumab) 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."

• Ome...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 5, 2020

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "2 years following a massive heart attack and have been injecting Praluent since. Twice a month at 75 mg. LDL has dropped from 130 to 19! I have had no side effects. A little bleeding from the injection site. Eliquis, Plavix, and aspirin cause that. I tried to take statins since 2005 with the first heart diagnosis, no joy on the numbers, just muscle pain. I was a vegan for 7 years and nothing helped until Praluent."

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

Praluent (alirocumab) 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."

• Pet...
• February 1, 2020

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I’m a 55-yr-old male with familial hypercholesterolemia. I take Zocor, Crestor, and Praluent. My numbers are awesome. HDL, LDL, all fantastic. I’d been on Praluent for about 6 months, so about 12 doses of 150 mg. I have developed several muscle and joint pains in my hips that are now spreading into my legs. I have also developed mild neuropathy in my hands. I am an avid golfer and tennis player, and it is now to the point where I have had to stop playing both and ache when I walk. I am considering going off the Praluent and just accepting my fate!!!"

• mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 12, 2020

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "I started on Praluent 3 years ago, not long after it was first introduced in the UK. After over ten years of on and off, mostly off statins, due to their almost crippling side effects, this drug has been a godsend. My cholesterol is below recommended levels for the first time ever, for two years in a row. After having stents and one heart attack, I now feel, for the first time in years, I'm no longer waiting for another imminent episode! Side effects: a few muscle aches, but nothing like the statins, and only last a short while. Easy to take once every two weeks."

• JK_...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2017

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "46-year-old UK male; slim, above-average fitness, eats well. Tried 3 different statins with the same intolerable brain fog, muscle pains, and palpitations over a 3-year period. 1st injection: mild muscle pains in my back, cold legs and feet, morning glory, a little brain fog, looser stools. 2nd injection: similar effects to the 1st but 50% less strong, except the morning glory and looser stools. 3rd injection: mild brain fog for an hour (starting about 2 hours after taking), cold feet, looser stools still. Not had bloods tested yet, but if LDL comes down, I'd be very happy to stay on Praluent based on these minor side effects. Very hopeful about this convenient statin alternative."

• Haz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2020

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Took Repatha for over a year, had minor side effects (runny nose only), which eventually disappeared. Then my insurance changed formularies and I had to switch to Praluent, not at all happy. Have been taking for two months, side effects include constant runny nose, fatigue, bruising, muscle pain, and pain and itching at the injection site. Would not recommend this medication. Repatha, in my opinion, is much better, unfortunately for myself, insurance will absolutely not cover Repatha."

• DCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2021

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "I have been taking this drug for around 6 months now, 75 mg, a woman in her early 60s, pretty healthy, and watch my intake of everything. Taking this for high cholesterol, suffering from really bad muscle aches and pains, also terrible night cramping. Experiencing dizzy spells and headaches, also, which I have never suffered from before in my lifetime. Tummy discomfort and palpitations and night sweats. Decided to come off for 6 weeks and felt much better. Took an injection last night and did not feel well at all, palpitations and dizziness straight away. Nope, not for me, quality of life is more important, and what will be will be."

• dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2024

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "Very pleased with the rapid cholesterol drop I've experienced in two months taking. But I am a little concerned with muscle aches which I believe started soon after I started it. I feel it is worth the tradeoff, if indeed, this is the case. Also, I have been napping more and feeling more tired since starting but do not see tiredness as a side effect anywhere listed, so it could be coincidental. I had trouble injecting it into my mid-section area because of the awkward angle, I found. So, my doctor recommended my upper thigh. I will try this next time."

• Olg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2023

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "Don’t yet know if it lowered my LDL, which was my main concern, but my muscle pain, though not chronic, is so severe that I requested a CK just to make sure there are no problems. The doctor assured me that Praluent does not cause muscle damage, and my response was that’s what was said about Lipitor until there was muscle damage, and I don’t want to be the one who says I wish I insisted on checking earlier. The weakness is also an issue. Sometimes holding my arm up to administer eye drops is a problem, holding onto a cup of coffee for any sustained time is a problem, and right now typing this message onto my iPad was a problem."

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

Praluent (alirocumab) 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."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2021

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "After almost 35 years of taking statins, I can no longer tolerate the joint and muscle pain. I used Praluent 75 mg for 2 months, but my numbers did not come down to acceptable levels. I have taken 3 injections of 150 mg and noticed the following: 1 week after the 1st dose, I started to experience muscle twitches that went away after a few days. I would also wake up with my heart racing, which I thought was weird since I hadn’t gotten out of bed yet. One week after the second dose, I went to the ER with something that felt like muscle spasms in my heart (diagnosed premature atrial contractions). It lasted several hours but went away. Three days after my third dose, I woke up with heart palpitations that are still going at 3:00 PM, which is where I am now. After reading that others have had severe palpitations, I will discuss discontinuing with my doctor and either stop or reduce my dosage."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2023

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I am 66 years old and in good health and physically active. My LDL has decreased from 188 to 75 after 4 doses of 75 mg each time. I have had some muscle aches that are minor after the shot for about 4 days. I tried Repatha and had horrible side effects. I asked my doctor if I could try the lower dose of Praluent, and so far, it’s worked out."

• Axe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 24, 2021

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "61 yo male, had LDL ~200, doctors found a blocked artery but couldn't stent it. Tried numerous statins with moderate LDL improvement, but serious side effects (muscle pain, severe anxiety). Switched to Repatha, which dropped LDL to 45, but developed severe sudden BP spikes after 3 months. Switched to Praluent 75 every 2 weeks. Dropped LDL to < 75. Praluent injections didn't bother me as much as Repatha. I do have annoying side effects: 3 days after injection, I retain water and my urine is like syrup for a couple of days. After that clears up, I get severe lower back pain in the morning for a few days. After that clears up, I get constipated for 3 days (very uncomfortable, but not debilitating). After that clears up, it's time for my next shot, and the cycle begins again. Net-net, compared to statins and Repatha, Praluent side effects are tolerable given the LDL reduction."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "Praluent gave me pneumonia and extreme muscle pain."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2023

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol "I have less depression, and my legs are still hurting. I rate this med at 2. Blood work after 3 months showed no improvement in cholesterol. Am now off the injection."

• Car...
• April 20, 2023

Praluent (alirocumab) for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have been on it for three months, and I am taking the lowest dosage. My LDL level has gone from 158 to 70. I had some muscle aches from the first three injections, but nothing since."