Alirocumab

Pronunciation: AL-i-ROK-ue-mab
Generic name: alirocumab
Brand name: Praluent
Dosage form: Prefilled pen (autoinjector) for subcutaneous use (150 mg/mL; 75 mg/mL)
Drug class: PCSK9 inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Mar 13, 2024.

What is alirocumab?

Alirocumab is an injectable medicine that is given under your skin (subcutaneously) which may be used in adults with:

• cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and certain types of
  chest pain conditions (unstable angina) that would normally require hospitalization
• high blood cholesterol (also called primary hyperlipidemia) including an inherited type of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or bad cholesterol together with dietary changes. Alirocumab can be used alone or in addition to other cholesterol-lowering medicines
• another inherited type of high cholesterol called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, who require additional lowering of their LDL-C.

Alirocumab may also be used in children aged 8 years and older with HeFH to reduce LDL-C, alongside dietary changes and other LDL-lowering treatments.

Alirocumab works by helping your liver reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) circulating in your blood. It does this by blocking the effects of the PCSK9 enzyme, which is an enzyme that binds to LDL receptors preventing LDL from being removed from the blood. This results in more receptors being available to remove LDL from the blood, which decreases LDL blood levels.

Alirocumab was first FDA-approved on July 24, 2015.

Warnings

Hypersensitivity reactions including inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), swelling under the skin (angioedema), and other allergic reactions requiring hospitalization, have been reported with Alirocumab. Discontinue alirocumab and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an allergic reaction.

It is not known if alirocumab is safe and effective in children who are younger than 8 years of age or in children with other types of high cholesterol (hyperlipidemias).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use alirocumab if you are allergic to alirocumab, Praulent, or any of the inactive ingredients in the injection.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not known if alirocumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking alirocumab, you are encouraged to call Regeneron at 1-844-734-6643 to share information about the health of you and your baby.

It is not known whether alirocumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using it.

How should I use alirocumab?

Use alirocumab exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.

• Alirocumab comes as a single-dose (1 time) pre-filled pen (autoinjector). Your healthcare provider will prescribe the dosage that is best for you.
• Alirocumab is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks (monthly).
• Do not shake this medicine. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use it if the medicine has changed color or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
• Take the medicine out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes before injecting your dose. Do not heat an injection pen or prefilled syringe, and do not leave the pen at room temperature for longer than 30 days.
• You can inject the medicine just under the skin of your upper thigh or abdomen (but keep at least 2 inches away from your belly button), or a caregiver can give it to you into the outer area of your upper arm.
• Each injection pen or prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw it away after one use in a puncture-proof "sharps" container, even if there is still medicine left inside. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Alirocumab is only part of a complete treatment program that also includes diet, statin medication, and regular blood testing. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Further administration instructions

If your healthcare provider prescribes you the monthly dose, give 2 separate injections in a row, using a different pen for each injection and 2 different injection sites.

• Do not inject it with other injectable medicines at the same injection site.
• Always check the label of your pen to make sure you have the correct medicine and the correct dose
• If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give the injections of Alirocumab, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and give it.
• Do not try to inject Alirocumab until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider or nurse.
• In children aged 12 to 17 years, Alirocumab should be given by or under the supervision of an adult.
• In children aged 8 to 11 years, Alirocumab should be given by a caregiver.

Do not stop using Alirocumab without talking with your healthcare provider. If you stop using it, your cholesterol levels can increase.

Alirocumab dosing information

Follow all your healthcare provider's instructions.

• The LDL-C lowering effect may be measured as early as 4 weeks after initiating therapy.
• In some patients, LDL-C can vary considerably during 4-week dosing intervals, therefore measure LDL-C just before the next scheduled dose.

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipidemia or Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

• 75 mg SC every 2 weeks OR 300 mg SC once every 4 weeks
• May be adjusted up to 150mg SC every 2 weeks with an inadequate LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein) response.
• Maximum dose: 150 mg SC every 2 weeks.

Usual Adult Dose for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) undergoing LDL Apheresis

• 150 mg SC once every 2 weeks; dose may be administered without regard to the timing of apheresis

Related/similar drugs

Wegovy, atorvastatin, Ozempic, rosuvastatin, Jardiance, simvastatin, Lipitor, ezetimibe, Crestor, Trulicity

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you forget to use alirocumab or are not able to take the dose at your regular time, inject your missed dose as soon as you remember, within 7 days.

• Then, if you inject every 2 weeks take your next dose in 2 weeks from the day you missed your dose or if you inject every 4 weeks take your next dose in 4 weeks from the day you missed your dose. This will put you back on your original schedule.

If you missed a dose by more than 7 days and you inject every 2 weeks wait until your next scheduled dose to restart alirocumab or if you inject every 4 weeks start a new schedule from the time you remember to take your dose.

• If you are not sure when to restart alirocumab, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Give an injection within 7 days after the missed dose. Then give the next injection 2 to 4 weeks after the missed dose was due, to put you back on your regular injection schedule.

If you are more than 7 days late for an injection:

• If you inject every 2 weeks, skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time.

• If you inject every 4 weeks, start a new schedule based on the date you used the missed injection.

Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

If you use more alirocumab than you should, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using alirocumab?

Do not inject alirocumab into skin that is sunburned, infected, swollen, or otherwise irritated.

Alirocumab side effects

Alirocumab can cause serious side effects, including:

• allergic reactions. These can be severe and require treatment in a hospital. Stop using alirocumab and call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction including:
• a severe rash
• severe itching
• redness or swelling of the face
• trouble breathing lips, throat, or tongue
• hives.

Common side effects of alirocumab affecting more than 5% of patients include:

• redness, itching, swelling, pain, or tenderness at the injection site
• muscle pain
• flu or flu-like symptoms
• muscle spasms
• diarrhea
• bruising.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of alirocumab. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect alirocumab?

Other drugs may interact with alirocumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Storage

Store unused pens in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in the original carton to protect from light.

• Do not freeze nor expose the pen to extreme heat or direct sunlight.
• Do not shake.

Allow to warm to room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes before use.

• If needed, alirocumab may be kept at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C) for 30 days in the original carton. Do not store above 77°F (25°C).
• If not used within 30 days it must be thrown away.

Keep alirocumab and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Ingredients

Active ingredients: alirocumab.

Inactive ingredients: histidine, polysorbate 20, sucrose, and Water for Injection, USP.

Manufacturer

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Alirocumab Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for alirocumab.

Popular FAQ

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• Does Praluent (alirocumab) lower triglycerides?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer