Alirocumab (1 brand name, 1 dosage form, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: INJECTABLE.
Routes of administration: INJECTION.
Brand Names
- PRALUENT
Indications and Usage
PRALUENT® is indicated: To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization) in adults at increased risk for these events. As an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in: adults with hypercholesterolemia. adults and pediatric patients aged 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).
Contraindications
PRALUENT is contraindicated in patients with a history of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to alirocumab or any of the excipients in PRALUENT. Hypersensitivity vasculitis, angioedema, and hypersensitivity reactions requiring hospitalization have occurred [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Adverse Reactions
The following adverse reactions are also discussed in the other sections of the labeling: Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
Mechanism of Action
Alirocumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9). PCSK9 binds to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors (LDLR) on the surface of hepatocytes to promote LDLR degradation within the liver. By inhibiting the binding of PCSK9 to LDLR, alirocumab increases the number of LDLRs available to clear LDL, thereby lowering LDL-C levels.