Inclisiran
About Inclisiran
Inclisiran is an injectable prescription medicine used to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as 'bad' cholesterol, in the blood. It is prescribed for adults with high cholesterol or heart disease who require additional treatment when other therapies and diet changes are not enough. This medicine is used alongside a low-fat diet and other cholesterol-lowering medicines to help manage your overall cardiovascular health.
This long-acting injection is given at regular intervals by a healthcare professional to ensure consistent cholesterol control. Because the medicine is injected under your skin by a provider, you do not need to worry about taking it with or without food. To achieve the best possible results, you should maintain a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly, and make recommended lifestyle adjustments while receiving this treatment.
Most people tolerate this injection well, but some may experience mild side effects, such as redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site. If you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing, contact your doctor immediately. Always talk to your healthcare team if you experience any unusual or persistent symptoms after your injection.
Do not receive this injection if you have had a severe allergic reaction to Inclisiran or any of its inactive ingredients (excipients). Before starting your treatment, tell your doctor if you have severe kidney problems or severe liver damage. It is important to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor to confirm that this treatment is safe and appropriate for your specific health needs.
This injection has a very low risk of interacting with other medicines because of how it is processed by the body, but you should still tell your doctor about all drugs, supplements, alcohol use, or smoking habits. Inclisiran is not approved for use in children or adolescents under 18 years of age. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult their doctor before receiving this injection, as its safety during pregnancy is not fully established. Elderly individuals should also talk to their doctor to ensure the treatment is suitable for their overall health profile.
Uses of Inclisiran
Treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD): Inclisiran lowers the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in individuals with clinical ASCVD. This helps reduce the risk of other cardiovascular issues by preventing cholesterol from blocking blood flow in the arteries.
Medicinal Benefits
Inclisiran provides important benefits by helping manage cholesterol levels and support long-term cardiovascular health. The key benefits of Inclisiran are as follows:
- Long-Term Cholesterol Control: Inclisiran provides continuous, long-term control of your bad cholesterol levels, helping to keep your blood vessels clear and reducing the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries.
- Convenient Dosing: Because this medicine is injected only a few times a year by a healthcare professional, it provides great convenience and removes the daily worry of remembering to take another cholesterol pill.
- Additional Cardiovascular Support: It works effectively in combination with your current cholesterol-lowering therapies, giving you an extra layer of protection to help manage your long-term cardiovascular risks.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Inclisiran is administered by the doctor or nurse in a healthcare setting.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Inclisiran
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Pain, redness, swelling, or itching where the injection was given
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Urinary tract infection symptoms, such as a burning feeling when urinating
- Diarrhoea or mild stomach upset
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, severe skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe pain, warmth, or spreading redness at the injection site that does not improve after a few days
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the Injection: Always make sure your healthcare provider visually inspects the injection syringe before use; the liquid should be clear and colourless to pale yellow, without any visible floating particles.
- Rotate Injection Sites: Ensure your healthcare provider rotates the injection site with each visit (for example, switching from the abdomen to the thigh) to reduce the risk of skin irritation.
- Choose the Injection Site Carefully: Do not receive the injection in skin areas that are actively sunburned, injured, infected, or showing signs of skin disease.
- Keep Appointment Reminders: Set calendar reminders for your injection appointments, as keeping a consistent schedule is crucial for maintaining stable cholesterol control.
- Monitor Lipid Levels: Expect your healthcare provider to order regular blood tests (lipid panels) to track your LDL cholesterol levels and evaluate how effectively the medicine is working.
- Inform Healthcare Providers: Inform any new healthcare provider, dentist, or specialist you visit that you are currently receiving Inclisiran injections.
Drug Interactions
- Other Medicines and Supplements: There are no clinically significant drug interactions known for this medicine. However, you should still provide your healthcare provider with a complete list of all prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown if alcohol interacts with Inclisiran. Please consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited data on the use of Inclisiran during breastfeeding. Consult your healthcare provider to assess risks and benefits.
Driving
cautionInclisiran is unlikely to impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, sometimes, Inclisiran makes you feel tired and dizzy; if it happens to you, do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you have liver impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing Inclisiran.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor if you have kidney impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing Inclisiran.
Children
cautionInclisiran is not recommended for children below 18 years, as its safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Focus on foods low in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and soluble fibre to help support your treatment.
- Stay physically active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, every week to strengthen your cardiovascular system.
- Avoid smoking: Quitting smoking helps improve your 'good' cholesterol (HDL) levels and significantly lowers your overall risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Limit alcohol intake: Keep your alcohol consumption within recommended limits, as excessive drinking can raise your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hyperlipidaemia: Hyperlipidaemia is a condition characterized by high levels of lipids (fats), such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. This can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, as excess lipids can build up in the walls of arteries, causing blockages and restricting blood flow.
Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH): Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic condition where a person inherits one copy of the mutated gene responsible for high cholesterol from one parent. This causes high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the bloodstream. Individuals with HeFH have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks or strokes, due to the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD): Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) refers to a group of heart and blood vessel conditions caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, in the arteries. This process, known as atherosclerosis, can lead to reduced blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
FAQs
Inclisiran is used to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who need further reduction of LDL-C.
Inclisiran contains Inclisiran, a PCSK9 inhibitor monoclonal antibody. It works by lowering the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood, decreasing the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.
Inclisiran is usually given as an initial dose, followed by a second dose after 3 months, and then administered every 6 months thereafter.
If a dose is missed by less than 3 months, the doctor will administer Inclisiran and continue the original dosing schedule. If more than 3 months are missed, a new schedule will be started with an initial dose, another dose at 3 months, and then every 6 months.
No dose adjustment is required for elderly patients, but caution is advised when administering Inclisiran to individuals with severe renal disease, as they may be at a higher risk for complications. Close monitoring is important during treatment.
Some people may experience reactions at the injection site, such as pain, redness, or swelling, but these typically resolve on their own. Seek medical advice if the reactions persist.
PCSK9 is a protein that regulates the number of LDL receptors on cells. These receptors help control cholesterol levels by binding to LDL particles, which carry cholesterol in the blood. Most of these receptors are in the liver, where they remove excess cholesterol from the body.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their healthcare provider before using Inclisiran, as its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not fully established.
The side effects of Inclisiran may include headache, dizziness, cough, bronchitis, diarrhoea, back pain, or pain in a joint. Seek medical care if the side effects persist or worsen.
Inclisiran may increase the risk of urinary tract infections. Consult the doctor if you experience symptoms of urinary tract infection like frequent urination, pain/burning sensation during urination, pelvic/rectal pain, discoloured urine or smelly urine.
No, this medicine is a subcutaneous injection that must be prepared and given by a trained healthcare professional in a clinic or doctor's office. Talk to your doctor about scheduling your appointments.
If you miss an appointment, call your doctor's clinic right away to reschedule. It is important to receive your dose as close to the scheduled time as possible to keep your cholesterol levels controlled. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about missed appointments.
No, this medicine does not cure high cholesterol; it manages it over the long term. If you discontinue treatment, your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels will gradually rise back toward your pre-treatment baseline over time. You should continue receiving scheduled injections as directed by your doctor to maintain cholesterol control.
You should never stop or change the dose of your daily cholesterol-lowering pills without consulting your healthcare provider first. This injection is designed to work alongside your current treatments. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medicines.
There are no specific foods you must avoid while receiving this treatment. However, maintaining a low-fat, heart-healthy diet is essential to help the medicine work effectively. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised dietary advice.
This injection is generally not recommended during pregnancy because it can affect cholesterol levels, which are necessary for the development of an unborn baby. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor immediately.
