What kind of drug is Repatha?
Repatha (evolocumab) is a prescription cholesterol-lowering medicine. It’s a monoclonal antibody that helps reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by blocking a protein called PCSK9, which normally makes the liver clear less LDL from the blood.
How does Repatha work?
Repatha targets PCSK9 in the bloodstream. By inhibiting PCSK9, it increases the number of LDL receptors on liver cells, so the liver clears more LDL cholesterol from circulation. This is why Repatha can significantly lower LDL levels beyond what’s achieved with statins alone for some patients.
What is Repatha used for?
Repatha is used to treat certain people with high LDL cholesterol, including patients with:
- Familial hypercholesterolemia (an inherited high-cholesterol condition)
- Established cardiovascular disease who need additional LDL lowering
- Other high-risk groups where LDL reduction is important and standard therapies may not be enough
How is it taken?
Repatha is given by injection (subcutaneous). It’s designed for patients who need ongoing LDL lowering, typically alongside other cholesterol therapies as determined by a clinician.
Is Repatha the same type of drug as statins or ezetimibe?
No. Statins and ezetimibe are small-molecule oral medicines with different mechanisms. Repatha is a PCSK9 inhibitor monoclonal antibody given by injection, aimed at lowering LDL through the PCSK9 pathway.
Sources
- [1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/