Repatha 

Uses of Repatha

Repatha is a human monoclonal antibody. It works by helping the liver reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) circulating in your blood.

Repatha is used together with a low-fat diet and other cholesterol-lowering medications in people with homozygous or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (inherited types of high cholesterol). These conditions can cause high blood levels of LDL cholesterol, and can also cause plaque to build up inside your arteries.

Repatha is also used to help lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with heart or blood vessel problems caused by plaque build-up or hardening in the arteries (also called atherosclerosis, or arteriosclerosis).

Precautions and Warnings

You should not use Repatha if you are allergic to evolocumab.

To make sure Repatha is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease; or
• a latex allergy.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of evolocumab on the baby.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Do not give Repatha to a child without medical advice. Evolocumab is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old. For certain conditions, Repatha should not be given to a child of any age.

Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipidemia: 140 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks OR 420 mg subcutaneously once a month
Usual Adult Dose for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: 140 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks OR 420 mg subcutaneously once a month
Usual Adult Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: 140 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks OR 420 mg subcutaneously once a month
Usual Adult Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Initial dose: 420 mg subcutaneously once a month
-May increase to 420 mg every 2 weeks if clinically meaningful response is not achieved in 12 weeks
Usual Pediatric Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: 10 years or older: Initial dose: 420 mg subcutaneously once a month
-May increase to 420 mg every 2 weeks if clinically meaningful response is not achieved in 12 weeks
Usual Pediatric Dose for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: 10 years or older: 140 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks OR 420 mg subcutaneously once a month

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• redness, pain, or bruising where an injection was given;
• back pain;
• flu symptoms; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.