Alirocumab – a PCSK9 inhibitor for high cholesterol

Alirocumab – a PCSK9 inhibitor for high cholesterol

അലിറോകുമാബ്: ഉയർന്ന കൊളസ്ട്രോളിനുള്ള പുതിയ ശക്തമായ മരുന്ന്

Alirocumab is a human monoclonal antibody to an enzyme known in short as PCSK9. Alirocumab is used to treat high cholesterol which is not controlled by diet and statin therapy. Those with statin intolerance will also benefit from this drug. The function of PCSK9 is to bind to LDL cholesterol receptors on liver cells and promote their degradation. The reduction of LDL cholesterol receptors leads to increase in levels of LDL cholesterol. Hence inhibition of PCSK9 by drugs like alirocumab can produce marked reduction of LDL cholesterol levels.

Those with high risk from diseases due to fat deposition in blood vessels and those with high levels of LDL cholesterol due to genetic defects may benefit from this medication. Those who do not achieve target LDL cholesterol levels with maximally tolerated doses of statins alone or in combination with other cholesterol lowering agents are considered for this expensive medication. The medication is available as prefilled syringes or pens, to be given once in two weeks as injection under the skin. The medication has to be stored in a refrigerator.

Most important downside of the medication is the high cost at present, which might come down later. Another downside is that it has to be given as injections and small number of persons can have injection site reactions. Flu-like illness is another potential problem which has been noted in some. Due caution is needed like any other new medication which has not been in use for a long time in large number of persons. Some rare adverse effects might surface only on long term use in large number of persons, which only time can tell.