Repatha is a treatment option if you have certain heart conditions. It was a prescription drug.

  • lower levels of certain kinds of cholesterol in adults and some children with specific conditions
  • reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, or the need for certain heart surgeries in adults with heart disease

If you and your doctor agree that Repatha is safe and effective, you will likely use it for a long time.

The active ingredient in Repatha is evolocumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Evolocumab is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from living cells.

Repatha comes as a liquid solution that you inject under your skin. It comes in three forms:

  • A single dose of prefilled syringe.
  • The SureClick is a single-dose prefilled auto-injector.
  • You wear a single-dose prefilled cartridge on your body.

For more information about Repatha, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Repatha can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Below are a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Repatha in studies. These side effects can vary depending on what condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people using Repatha to lower cholesterol levels include:

More common side effects in people using Repatha to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and certain heart surgeries include:

The side effects explained section will give you more information about this side effect.

Mild side effects of Repatha are common. Mild side effects have been reported with this drug.

The side effects explained section will give you more information about this side effect.

These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Repatha should be used unless your doctor recommends it.

Repatha may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Repatha, visit MedWatch.

Serious side effects are possible with Repatha. Serious side effects that have been reported in the drug’s studies include:

The side effects explained section will give you more information about this side effect.

If you develop serious side effects, you should call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

There are answers to some frequently asked questions about Repatha.

What are some of the dangers of using Repatha?

In most cases, Repatha’s side effects are mild and not dangerous. But it’s possible that Repatha may cause some serious side effects. For example, in the drug’s studies, some people reported an increased blood sugar level and high blood pressure..

Increased blood sugar can cause symptoms.

Let your doctor know if you have any of the symptoms. The side effects section explains more about the increased blood sugar levels with this drug.

High blood pressure doesn’t cause symptoms in most people. Severe high blood pressure. may cause symptoms such as:

Most commonly, high blood pressure. is discovered through a blood pressure reading.

Talk with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms and think you may have high blood pressure.. They’ll likely have you check your blood pressure regularly and recommend ways to manage it. If your blood pressure is high, they may prescribe medication to manage it.

Can Repatha cause hair loss or weight gain?

It’s not likely. Hair loss and weight gain were not reported as side effects in studies of people using Repatha. But other medications that treat high cholesterol may cause hair loss. For example, hair loss is a rare side effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, which include:

If you have a doctor prescribe a statin along with Repatha to lower your cholesterol, you may have hair loss.

Also, diabetes and increased blood sugar levels are rare side effects of Repatha. In some cases, weight gain can be a symptom of these side effects.

If you have hair loss or gain of weight, talk to your doctor. They can help you find ways to manage your symptoms.

Are there any side effects specific to Repatha SureClick injections?

The Repatha SureClick injections should have the same side effects as the prefilled syringes and Pushtronex device.

One of the more common side effects of Repatha SureClick injections and other forms of Repatha is Injection site reactions. The most common kinds of reactions reported in Repatha’s studies were discoloration, pain, and bruising at the injection site. These kinds of reactions are usually not serious.

To reduce your risk of an Injection site reaction, try to inject Repatha in a different location each time you use it. You can inject Repatha into your belly, thigh, or upper arm. But avoid injecting the medication in areas where your skin is irritated, bruised, tender, or discolored.

Repatha can be injected at room temperature, which can help reduce pain.

It is important to note that needle caps on Repatha SureClick injections are made using latex. This could cause an allergic reaction if you have a latex allergy. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a latex or rubber allergy so they can prescribe a safe form of Repatha for you.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to reduce your risk of side effects.

Does Repatha cause liver-related side effects?

Probably not. Liver-related side effects were not reported in studies of Repatha.

Repatha may have side effects that are related to the liver.

For example, statin drugs such as Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin) may cause certain liver problems. If you take these drugs together with Repatha, there’s a risk you may have liver-related side effects from the statin. But these side effects are not caused by Repatha.

If you have concerns about what side effects Repatha will have, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Some of the side effects of Repatha can be found here.

Fatigue (low energy)

Fatigue was a less common side effect reported in Repatha’s studies. In many cases, fatigue caused by Repatha is mild. But keep in mind that fatigue can also be a symptom of rare but more serious side effects Repatha can cause, including diabetes or increased blood sugar levels.

What might help

Repatha fatigue is mild and goes away on its own, but sometimes it can be a symptom of other serious conditions.

If you have prolonged fatigue or other symptoms such as Increased thirst. or The mouth is dry. along with it, let your doctor know. These can be signs that your blood sugar level may have increased. Your doctor will likely do tests to determine the cause of your fatigue. They’ll decide on the right treatment option for you based on the cause of your fatigue.

Joint pain

It’s possible that Repatha may cause joint pain. This side effect was reported in Repatha’s studies, but it wasn’t common.

Keep in mind, though, that joint pain can be a symptom of other Repatha side effects, such as fatigue and The The flu...

What might help

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may help relieve your pain. You can also try resting the painful joints or applying an ice pack.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC medications. They will let you know if they are safe for you based on other drugs you take.

“If you have joint pain that isn’t relieved by OTC medications, talk to your doctor. They can recommend other treatment options.”

Increased blood sugar levels

Using Repatha can cause increased blood sugar levels or diabetes. This was a common side effect in studies of people using Repatha to help prevent stroke, heart attack, or the need for certain kinds of heart surgery. This side effect was not reported by people using Repatha to lower cholesterol.

Symptoms of high blood sugar can include:

What might help

It’s important to tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar while using Repatha. If not treated, high blood sugar and diabetes can lead to serious complications over time, including kidney or eye disease and nerve damage.

If your doctor discovers that you have high blood sugar, they will likely recommend treatment options. In some cases, the treatment options may include medication.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was a common side effect reported in studies of people using Repatha. Diarrhea caused by Repatha is usually mild. Symptoms can include:

What might help

Mild diarrhea can usually be relieved with OTC treatments, such as Imodium-AD (loperamide). But check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC drugs to be sure they’re safe for you.

In some cases, diarrhea can lead to dehydration (low The The flu..id level), so it’s important to increase your The The flu..id intake if you have diarrhea. You can do this by drinking plenty of water and beverages containing electrolytes.

If you have persistent or severe scurvy, talk to your doctor. They can help you manage your symptoms with treatment options.

Allergic reaction

Repatha can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms you have an allergic reaction to Repatha, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Repatha, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during Repatha. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about Repatha. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

If you have certain medical conditions, Repatha may not be right for you. This is a drug-condition interaction.

Other factors may affect whether Repatha is a good option. Some factors to consider.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Repatha or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Latex or rubber allergy. Certain parts of the Repatha prefilled syringes and SureClick auto-injectors contain rubber, which is made from latex. If you have an allergy to latex or rubber, these forms of Repatha may not be safe for you to use. The Repatha Pushtronex system does not contain rubber or latex, so may be a safer option for you.

Talk to your doctor about your health history before you start taking this drug.

Alcohol and Repatha

It should be safe to drink alcohol during Repatha treatment. But other drugs, such as statins, which your doctor may prescribe along with Repatha to lower cholesterol, may interact with alcohol.

Talk with your doctor to learn how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to consume while taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Repatha

There aren’t enough studies to know if Repatha is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It’s not known whether Repatha passes through breast milk or how it could affect a child who is breastfed.

If you are pregnant or considering breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor. They will discuss treatment options that are safe.

If you use Repatha during your pregnancies, your doctor will give you information about the study. You can find out more by calling the Repatha drugmaker.

Repatha may have some side effects. Mild side effects of the drug can be managed at home. Some side effects can be more serious and require medical attention.

Before starting Repatha, talk to your doctor. They can discuss side effects with you. You may want to ask some questions.

  • Does Repatha cause long-term side effects?
  • Does my risk of increased blood sugar depend on my Repatha dosage?
  • How do the side effects of Repatha compare with those of statin drugs?
  • Does my risk of side effects increase if I take other cholesterol-lowering drugs along with Repatha?

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.