Repatha, Repatha Sureclick, Repatha Pushtronex

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on July 28, 2023

Repatha (ri-PAth-a) is a brand-name medication prescribed for high cholesterol and to lower the risk of certain heart-related problems. Repatha belongs to a group of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Repatha to:

• lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for certain kinds of surgery in adults with heart disease
• lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with high cholesterol, including a type called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), along with diet and sometimes other cholesterol-lowering treatments
• lower LDL cholesterol in children 10 years and older with HeFH, along with diet and other cholesterol-lowering treatments
• lower LDL cholesterol in children 10 years and older and adults with a type of high cholesterol called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, along with other cholesterol-lowering treatments

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of Repatha. To find coupons for Repatha prefilled syringe injection, see this article. For coupons on Repatha Pushtronex injection system, see this article.

Common questions about Repatha

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Repatha.

When is the best time of day to use Repatha?

There’s no best time of day to use Repatha. When a dose is due, you can give Repatha at any time during the day. A healthcare professional will give you or your caregiver instructions about how to give a dose of Repatha.

To learn more about injecting Repatha at home, talk with your doctor.

Are there any videos about how to inject Repatha?

Yes, the drugmaker has videos that show how to use Repatha prefilled syringes, SureClick autoinjector, and Pushtronex system. You can watch them on this website and download other resources.

Talk with your doctor to find out more about how to inject Repatha.

Is there a certain amount of time that Repatha can be unrefrigerated?

Yes, you can store Repatha unrefrigerated for up to 30 days. It must be kept in the original carton at room temperature, between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Throw away Repatha product stored at room temperature after 30 days, even if it still contains medication.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how to store Repatha.

How does Repatha work? And how long does it take to start working?

Repatha is used to treat high cholesterol and to lower the risk of certain problems having to do with your heart and blood vessels. It works by limiting the action of a protein called PCSK9.

By limiting the PCSK9 protein, the drug helps the liver clear more low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This results in lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Lowering levels of LDL can help reduce the risk of certain heart and blood vessel problems, too.

Repatha will start working within about 4 hours of receiving it. It can take 2–3 weeks to see the full effects.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of Repatha

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Repatha for certain conditions. Approved uses for Repatha are described below.

Use for lowering LDL cholesterol levels

Doctors may prescribe Repatha injection for treating high cholesterol. (It’s given as an injection under the skin.) Repatha is used for this purpose in adults. It’s also used for this purpose in children 10 years and older who have certain genetic types of high cholesterol. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With high cholesterol, you have too much lipid (fats) circulating in the blood. Many people who have high cholesterol don’t have any symptoms. But high cholesterol can cause heart disease and other blood vessel problems. Treating high cholesterol usually involves making changes to your diet. Medications, including Repatha, can also help.

Repatha can be prescribed together with other cholesterol-lowering treatments.

Use for lowering the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems in certain adults

Doctors may prescribe Repatha injection to help prevent heart attack, stroke, and the need for certain kinds of surgery. (It’s given as an injection under the skin.) Repatha is used for this purpose in adults with heart disease. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With heart disease, you’re at increased risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. You may also need a certain type of surgery, called revascularization surgery, to restore normal blood flow to the heart muscle. Taking Repatha can help lower the risk of these complications.

Side effects of Repatha

Repatha may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Repatha and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Repatha’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Repatha listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of Repatha are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Repatha’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Repatha listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Repatha liquid solution for injection’s mild side effects include:

• dizziness
• headache
• muscle aches
• redness or discoloration, pain, or bruising at the injection site
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Repatha” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Repatha are described below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Repatha’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Repatha listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Repatha’s serious side effects include severe allergic reaction.*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Repatha” section.

Interactions and warnings for Repatha

Below, you’ll find information about Repatha’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Repatha

Repatha isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with Repatha won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with Repatha.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with Repatha. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for Repatha

Repatha should not be used by certain people.

Repatha could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Repatha is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Repatha, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Repatha can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Repatha or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Repatha. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Repatha, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Repatha

If you use Repatha, you should not use more Repatha than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much Repatha, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Repatha

Information about Repatha and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Repatha and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Repatha should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or if you can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Your doctor may talk with you about participating in a pregnancy safety study for Repatha. This study monitors the outcomes of using Repatha during pregnancy.

Repatha and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Repatha should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes Repatha’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about Repatha or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Are there any alternative medications that I can take for my condition?
• Which of Repatha’s injection systems would be easiest for me to use?
• What should I do if I miss a dose of Repatha?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Repatha (evolocumab) injection, for subcutaneous use. (2021). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/125522s033lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.