Leqvio (inclisiran) is a brand-name subcutaneous injection that’s prescribed for lowering high cholesterol. As with other drugs, Leqvio can cause side effects, such as injection site reactions and joint pain.
Specifically, Leqvio is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, along with a statin drug and low cholesterol diet.
Leqvio is prescribed for adults with hyperlipidemia (a high level of fats in the blood, such as high cholesterol or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia).
Leqvio can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Leqvio in clinical trials:
- joint pain
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- bronchitis
- shortness of breath
- pain in the arms and legs*
- injection site reaction*
- diarrhea*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Leqvio use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Leqvio’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Leqvio include:
- joint pain
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- bronchitis
- diarrhea*
- pain in the arms and legs*
- mild injection site reaction*
- mild allergic reaction*
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Leqvio and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Leqvio may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Leqvio’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while using Leqvio, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath. Symptoms can include:
- being unable to catch your breath
- Severe injection site reaction.*
- Severe allergic reaction.†
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Leqvio. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Leqvio may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Leqvio.
Pain in the arms and legs
In Leqvio’s clinical trials, pain in the arms and legs was a common side effect. This includes pain in the arms, hands, legs, and feet. It’s not known how long this side effect lasted in clinical trials.
What you can do
Tell your doctor about any new pain you may have after you start treatment with Leqvio. If it becomes severe, they may postpone your next injection. As an alternative, they may suggest ways to manage the pain, such as:
- heat or cold packs
- gentle exercise or stretches
- over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen), and Aleve (naproxen)
Diarrhea
Diarrhea was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Leqvio. It’s unknown how long this side effect lasted.
What you can do
Tell your doctor if your diarrhea doesn’t improve on its own or you experience symptoms of dehydration. These symptoms may include dizziness, dark-colored urine, and fatigue.
Your doctor may suggest ways to manage this side effect. For example, you can try eating a BRAT diet. This bland diet includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are gentle on the stomach and can help firm up your stools.
Drinking small amounts of juice or water can help you stay hydrated. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can also cause dehydration.
Injection site reactions
In Leqvio’s clinical trials, injection site reactions were common side effects. Some people stopped Leqvio treatment because of this side effect. Symptoms can include pain, redness or discoloration, or a rash at the site of your injection.
What you can do
Tell your doctor about any injection site reaction that doesn’t go away on its own. They may offer ways to manage this side effect. In the meantime, you can try placing a warm or cold compress on the site to relieve redness, discoloration, and pain.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Leqvio can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep receiving Leqvio. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you receive Leqvio. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Pregnancy. It’s unknown whether Leqvio is safe to use during pregnancy. For more details, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while receiving Leqvio” below.
Breastfeeding. It’s unknown whether Leqvio is safe to use while breastfeeding. For more details, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while receiving Leqvio” below.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Leqvio or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Leqvio. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Alcohol with Leqvio
There are no known interactions between Leqvio and alcohol. However, Leqvio is typically prescribed along with a statin drug to lower cholesterol. Both statins and alcohol can cause liver damage.
Before starting treatment with Leqvio, if you drink alcohol, ask your doctor how much (if any) is safe to consume during your treatment.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while receiving Leqvio
It’s not known whether Leqvio causes fetal harm. For this reason, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take Leqvio if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Also, Leqvio is usually given in combination with a statin drug, and statin drugs are not recommended during pregnancy.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about Leqvio and pregnancy.
It’s not known whether Leqvio passes into breast milk. In animal studies, Leqvio passed into the milk of lactating animals. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans. Due to this risk, your doctor may not prescribe Leqvio if you’re breastfeeding.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about breastfeeding during Leqvio treatment. They can advise on the risks and benefits of breastfeeding during Leqvio treatment. They can also discuss safe feeding options for your child.
Like other medications, Leqvio can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and may go away over time. If you’d like to learn more about Leqvio, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from using the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Leqvio. For details about other aspects of Leqvio, refer to this article.
- Dosage. For information about the dosage of Leqvio, view this article.
- Cost. If you’d like to learn about Leqvio and cost, see this article.
- A look at your condition. For details about your condition, see our cardiovascular health and cholesterol hubs.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.