Lipid-lowering agents (PCSK9 inhibitors)
- Very potent LDL-lowering therapies
- Alirocumab/evolocumab are injectable mAbs
- Major role in ASCVD + familial hypercholesterolemia
- LDL often falls ~50–60%
- Reduce CV events when added to statins
- Injection reactions; otherwise well tolerated
- Cost/access often determines use
Class at a glance
- Very potent LDL-lowering therapies
Members / distinctions
- Alirocumab/evolocumab are injectable mAbs
- Major role in ASCVD + familial hypercholesterolemia
Clinical role
- Reduce CV events when added to statins
- Injection reactions; otherwise well tolerated
- Cost/access often determines use
Practical pearls
- LDL often falls ~50–60%
Pearls
- Also approved for homozygous FH; smaller LDL drop there
Self-check
- What do Lipid-lowering agents (PCSK9 inhibitors) primarily reduce?
CV events when added to statins. - About how much does LDL often fall with PCSK9 inhibitors?
~50–60%.
Drugs in this class (5)
Lipid-lowering agents (PCSK9 inhibitors) prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Lipid-lowering meds (1955–2026). PCSK9 inhibitors highlighted from 2016.
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