Repatha and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• sat...
• July 4, 2021

For High Cholesterol "First, let me say that my cholesterol has been creeping up over the years to mid-200s, since I was pregnant in my 30s. I am now in my 70s. In the last 3 years, I tried to inject Repatha. In the first year, I injected five times in five months, and my cholesterol plummeted down to 160, but I felt weak. More recently, I had one injection in September and another in December. The injection in December turned me into a cripple. I went to see a few doctors who prescribed Prednisone to get me over the intense pain in my hip joints. It is now the 4th of July weekend, 2021. In six months' time, I am almost back to normal. It still hurts to pick things up off the floor and to bend down to put on my shoes. Also, any twisting motion of my lower body hurts. I think that Repatha should be taken off the market. I wish that we could band together and file a class-action suit against Amgen. Thank you for reading this."

• lyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 18, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I started taking Repatha last July. I had been previously taking Atorvastatin. I had side effects, especially muscle pain and joint pain. I had stopped for about 5 months. My current cardiologist said I should try Repatha due to the low number of reported side effects. During the second month's injections (every two weeks), I felt mild muscle pain and weakness. I took Tylenol to help with the pain. It has become progressively more insidious. Yesterday, 5 days from the last injection, I could not get out of a chair, running nose, trouble walking, can't go up and down stairs, severe pain in ankles, knees, hips, and back, loss of upper body strength, itching. A year ago, I could carry two 40lb bags of wood pellets up two flights of stairs. Now, I can't lift a bag off the ground. I advised the cardiologist's office. I was never going to take Repatha again. Haven't heard a word in 5 days. My advice, if you try Repatha, be cautious because side effects may get progressively worse."

• lyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 18, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I started taking Repatha last July. I had been previously taking Atorvastatin. I had side effects, especially muscle pain and joint pain. I had stopped for about 5 months. My current cardiologist said I should try Repatha due to the low number of reported side effects. During the second month's injections (every two weeks), I felt mild muscle pain and weakness. I took Tylenol to help with the pain. It has become progressively more insidious. Yesterday, 5 days from the last injection, I could not get out of a chair, running nose, trouble walking, can't go up and down stairs, severe pain in ankles, knees, hips, and back, loss of upper body strength, itching. A year ago, I could carry two 40lb bags of wood pellets up two flights of stairs. Now, I can't lift a bag off the ground. I advised the cardiologist's office. I was never going to take Repatha again. Haven't heard a word in 5 days. My advice, if you try Repatha, be cautious because side effects may get progressively worse."

• SRS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2024

For High Cholesterol "Repatha did well in reducing my LDL levels to anywhere from 6-15. That is the good. The bad. GI issues, I was making 5-7 trips a day to the restroom. Muscular pain in the legs, arms, and back. Joint pain. Numbness in both hands. Ear congestion. Stuffy nose and coughing. Chest congestion. It’s terrible that the pharmaceutical companies are allowed to produce and distribute medications that have the ability to put people in harm's way."

• Bud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I started taking Repatha because other statins caused me to have joint pain, and my bad cholesterol numbers were still higher than my heart doctor wanted. Within a month of starting, I was having cold symptoms and started having a nagging cough. I then started having lung congestion and wheezing, especially at night. Fast forwarding several months, I had to go to the emergency clinic 5-6 times due to an inability to breathe. I have been on Prednisone 5 times, have been given breathing treatments, albuterol inhalers, and singulair. I stopped taking the injections about a month ago and am still having symptoms, especially as soon as I lay down. I have also been using nose sprays twice a day. I have never smoked and never had any breathing problems before. Really praying I get over these issues soon."

• ILe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2023

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "I have been on Repatha for 5 years now. I have tried many statins, but most of all the ones I have tried cause severe joint and muscle pain. When Repatha came out, my doctor thought this was ideal for me, so he prescribed a 140 mg injection every 2 weeks. Repatha has worked for me, it has maintained my cholesterol from 200 to 160-180. The first 2 years I experienced side effects of persistent running nose and some hives. I tolerated the side effects because my cholesterol control was more important. However, jumping to the present, the last 6 months the side effects have escalated to flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and neuropathy issues, which make me sick for 10-12 days a month. I have decided to discontinue the medication, it’s no longer working for me, and I’m not going to sacrifice my well-being for these side effects. They can be debilitating. I think it works for a short period of time, but not long term. Hopefully, these symptoms will disappear soon."

• Tru...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 29, 2024

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Lowers cholesterol—very good on this. Side effects: I am miserable for at least two days, sometimes a week or more, with flu-like symptoms, back pain, muscle and joint pain, headaches, itching rash, mysterious internal pain, fatigue. I check often to see if another med has been discovered because I am worse off with statins, and the rash is worse too. I suspect Repatha is responsible for the recurrence of shingles and PHN that I have."

• ron...
• August 1, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I took Repatha for about 16 months. I put up with the awful side effects because it brought my cholesterol way down into the normal range. But at what cost? I had flu/cold symptoms for the entire time. I never had congestion my entire life except with a cold. But I was going through boxes of Kleenex and getting into coughing jags I could not control from all the dripping down the back of my throat, and I started to have pain in the joints of my fingers. I finally took myself off of it and let my cardiologist know I did. I am an RN for 40 years now and would never recommend this drug to family or friends."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Add my voice to those who have experienced horrible side effects from Repatha. After one injection - terrible muscle and joint pain all over my body - much worse than the three statins I tried previously. I will never touch this medicine again. Diet modification and exercise are the only treatments I will try ever again."

• Peg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I've been on many statins, and after taking them for 3 months, I experienced muscle and joint pain. I discontinued it as it got to the point where I couldn't function properly. I'm on Repatha now, my cholesterol levels are great, but after 3 months again, I can barely lift my left arm, and my elbow pain is tremendous. I thought I had injured it. I'm going for an x-ray on my shoulder next week. But I think it definitely is Repatha. We will see."

• Peg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I've been on many statins, and after taking them for 3 months, I experienced muscle and joint pain. I discontinued it as it got to the point where I couldn't function properly. I'm on Repatha now, my cholesterol levels are great, but after 3 months again, I can barely lift my left arm, and my elbow pain is tremendous. I thought I had injured it. I'm going for an x-ray on my shoulder next week. But I think it definitely is Repatha. We will see."

• Glo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2025

For High Cholesterol "Too soon to tell if Repatha littered my levels. But after taking it for one month, I noticed more stiffness and joint aches in my already arthritic small-frame body. Also, having rhinitis, I’m having more cold-like issues. I don’t like that my joints are worse, but I’m trying to figure out what to do or take to help relieve this pain. Already taking pain medication, maybe a steroid would help. We shall see. I will update."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2020

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "With Repatha, I had elevated BP even with maximum BP meds. Ended in ER with BP over 200 with uncontrollable nosebleed. Extreme joint pain and swelling, leg and back pain, and muscle weakness. Flushing, fatigue, headache, and blurred vision. Gained weight (sometimes 5 lbs overnight). Stopped taking and hope side effects go away."

• Jum...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Don't let anyone tell you to hold off on Repatha injections and then 'try again!' Also, do NOT let your doctor convince you there aren't side effects. This is a dangerous drug if you have pre-existing comorbidities. I have RA (rheumatoid arthritis), need 5 surgeries for vascular blockages in my torso and legs, and 4 coronary stents are placed. My RA symptoms of joint pain have worsened with the Repatha, but my biggest negative on this drug is increased blood pressure and chest pain. It's very dangerous when I'm already a heart patient! Think carefully about what your medical issues are and whether you want to risk them worsening. New problems for me are dizziness, sudden gut pain, anxiety, visual disturbances, nausea, and leg weakness. Yes, my cholesterol went from 300 to normal, but even taking an injection every 3 months has incapacitated me and exacerbated my medical issues!"

• Lou...
• August 12, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "I have several in my family with high cholesterol... 503 high, so hereditary. I went on Repatha in Oct. 2018. My numbers steadily went down to 235 with mild side effects; some joint pain every now and then. This all changed with my July 2019 injection. I experienced sudden severe hip pain that went all the way down one leg. I could not walk even to the next room. I have had sciatica before, and this was a lot like that, except that it lasted for a day and a half and went away. I wrote this sudden pain off as maybe it was sciatica until my next injection, and the same thing happened, but less severe. I immediately went off of Repatha. I'm still experiencing more symptoms, like muscle weakness and throbbing pain in my arm and hand joints. My feet ache often now as well. I had tried several statins as well, and those also resulted in several side effects that were not tolerable."

• kei...
• November 4, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I'm actually looking for people from the UK who are taking this drug. I took the drug for a good few months, my life is hell: chest infections, upper respiratory problems, my liver has shown signs of bleeding, severe lower back pain. I struggle to walk, and if I need to go to a GP appointment, I have to take strong painkillers to enable me to go. I suffer from severe depression, anxiety, joint pain, and swelling of my hands. A few weeks back, I was in A&E as I came out in blisters on my head, arms, and hands. This drug needs to be stopped. Yes, it lowered my numbers, but the side effects are so wrong. PLZ, if there is anyone from the UK taking it, can you write your experience?"

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2019

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Never, ever taking this or any other antibody injection again. I have experienced it all. Got cold and flu symptoms. Lost my voice for 2 weeks. Stomach upset. Anxiety and depression. Sore muscles and joints. This drug is not for everyone. I couldn’t take statins, so my doctor insisted on this. Now he tells me these side effects are all in my head! Please do your homework. This is an awful, awful drug. After one injection of 140 mg, I stopped, but 3 weeks later I’m still not myself."

• Ral...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 27, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I’m an inherent atherosclerosis patient, age 74. I have walked at least a half hour every day since 1997. I underwent quadruple bypass surgery 25 years ago and have been on statins until 4 years ago when my cardiologist prescribed Repatha to lower my LDL cholesterol. This product works great in lowering cholesterol and reducing my LDL under 60. However, I trusted my doctor, who I do not blame for the BAD side effects, as it came with the Big Pharma label as “having no side effects,” and as a new wonder drug with great results, it seemed like a godsend. Please be warned: the toxic effects tend to creep up on most people. I developed low energy levels, muscle aches, joint pain in my hip and feet, and recently severe low back pain with resultant loss of sleep. I also wake at times with severe pain in my hand joints for seemingly no reason. I recently stopped taking this drug on my own and plan on returning to a statin regimen treatment if my cardiologist agrees, but I’m through with this."

• Tak...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I have been on Repatha for about eight months because I cannot take statins. I have had some bad side effects: joint pain, back pain, and continuous sinus drainage. Can go to sleep, fatigue bad. High blood sugar. And I feel it has eaten my stomach lining out. I can't eat much of anything. I have been off of it for 30 days and hope and pray this medicine gets out of my system before 3 months. I will have to see if I can keep my cholesterol down with diet. This stuff feels like it is killing me. Would never recommend it at all."

• jhm...
• August 11, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Was going in for a heart cath, put on Repatha because I can't take statins. Dose 1, some diarrhea, mild back pain, and feeling like a kidney stone was trying to move. Dose 2, same feeling as dose 1, seemed a bit worse, wrist, knees, and ankles slightly swollen. Dose 3, two hours after injection, felt like my teeth were 3 inches tall, lost the use of my legs for 5 hours, joints ache and low back pain, 7 on the pain scale. Three days later, upper right quadrant pain, muscle spasms, hurt to walk, knees and feet felt like they were on fire. Nipples are painful, short of breath, and can't get enough sleep, tired all the time. Been to the ER, advised to discontinue Repatha. Been 45 days, still having severe back pain and very short of breath."

• Gin...
• December 26, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "82 years active female, history of mild stroke 8 years ago and heart event two years ago with placement of stent. 247 high cholesterol on plant-based diet, and unable to take statins. On injection 1, experienced severe back pains and exhaustion and fatigue... constant stomach upset... neck muscles ache and confusion improved some in three weeks, but now have muscle soreness and joint pain. Have history of myasthenia gravis in remission... feels like it is back."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2017

For High Cholesterol "After severe muscle and joint pain following my third injection, I discontinued use of Repatha at the end of Sept. 2017. It is now the middle of December 2017, and although the pain has subsided somewhat, the use of my right leg has been severely compromised. I feel the sensation of an electric shock 24/7 that moves around my right leg. I have repeatedly contacted Amgen for info. Specifically, I asked whether symptoms would subside or whether I would have this permanently. They repeatedly said, 'call your doctor.' Well, the doctors don't know because this is a relatively new medication. Repatha has refused to answer any of my questions directly and has provided NO support. It seems they really don't want to know about this. BE CAREFUL!!"

• Sso...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2018

For High Cholesterol "Worst drug on the market. If I could give it a zero, I would! After 2 injections, I experienced extreme muscle weakness and joint pain. I discontinued the medication. Contacted the FDA, they informed me I was not the only person they had heard this from. I asked how long before the side effects were gone? This was March. They told me the end of May! It did get better. But recently, the muscle pain is back. It also grossly elevated my cholesterol after I discontinued the medication. I would not recommend anyone take this medication. The pros vs. the cons are just not worth it. I don't think they can give a 125 lb woman the same dose they give a 300 lb man and not expect side effects."

• Way...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2019

For High Cholesterol "WARNING: Repatha comes with very serious side effects. 1) SEVERE FLU... cough, sore throat, congestion, massive mucus, headache, etc. 2) EXCRUCIATING BACK PAIN... could not walk for two weeks, able to walk now, but back pain continues three months after the last injection. 3) DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS... heartburn. 4) CONFUSION... difficulty concentrating. 5) INTERNAL SHIVERING... but not cold or external shivering. 6) WEAK... due to muscle and joint pain. All side effects have improved since discontinuing use three months ago. Back pain, internal shivering, and some muscle/joint pain continue after three months."

• S E...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 25, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I was thrilled to hear about the new med. My cholesterol was cut in half in three months. I had bad side effects from statins. Well, I started having side effects almost immediately: muscle, back, joint pain, and depression. One year went by. Thought all these side effects were situational. Repatha is not a statin. Decided to stop taking Repatha. My symptoms are not getting better. Lost feeling of well-being, and my muscles are mush. I called Repatha, they said my side effects were not caused by injections. I say bull. Stopped three months now. I had some relief of symptoms. My doctor said it's not a statin. Started to take it again, after the second injection, I was worse off than before. I stopped again four months now, and I am starting to feel a little better. Repatha is not for me, and I hope my muscles get back the mass lost. I am still depressed, and I can't sleep. Cannot get comfortable sleeping. Wake up in pain. Gets worse as the day progresses."