PCSK9 Inhibitors for Statin Intolerance?

PCSK9 Inhibitors

Alirocumab and evolocumab are monoclonal antibodies that block proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a circulating protein that degrades low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors. These therapies increase LDL receptors on the cell surface and reduce plasma LDL cholesterol. Both therapies are approved to lower LDL cholesterol, a causative agent for atherosclerotic cardiovascular d...

PCSK9 inhibitors for LDL lowering.

Insights Into Statin Intolerance

Stephen Kopecky, MD, FACC, FACP; Seth Baum, MD, FACC, FACPM, FAHA, FNLA; JoAnne M. Foody, MD, FACC, FAHA; Michael Koren, MD, FACC; James McKenney, PharmD, FNLA; Laurence Sperling, MD, FACC, FAHA, FACP; Nathan D. Wong, PhD, MPH, FACC, FAHA; Statin Intolerance Roundtable Participants Division of Cardiovascular Diseases (Kopecky), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Women’s Preventive Cardiology Ce...

Molecular mechanisms of statin intolerance

Statins reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in primary and secondary prevention. Despite their efficacy, many persons are unable to tolerate statins due to adverse events such as hepatotoxicity and myalgia/myopathy. In the case of most patients, it seems that mild-to-moderate abnormalities in liver and muscle enzymes are not serious adverse effects and do not outweigh the benefits of ...

Statin Intolerance: the Clinician’s Perspective

Muscle problems and other adverse symptoms associated with statin use are frequent reasons for non-adherence and discontinuation of statin therapy, which results in inadequate control of hyperlipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk. However, most patients who experience adverse symptoms during statin use are able to tolerate at least some degree of statin therapy. Given the profound cardiov...