E-ISSN 2231-3206 | ISSN 2320-4672
 

New Drug Update

Online Publishing Date:
05 / 07 / 2016

 


Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy.


Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetically transmitted condition, wherein abnormally high levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoproteins (LDL) are seen. Occurrence of premature cardiovascular complications is common, resulting in significant morbidities and fatalities. Currently statins are the first-choice drugs to treat FH, given alone, or in combination with other lipid lowering drugs. Alirocumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against PCSK9, a ‘gain-of-function’ mutation of which is thought to be responsible for the defective processing of LDL cholesterol, resulting in lesser uptake of LDL-C into the hepatocytes. It was approved by the US-FDA in July 2015 as a first-in-class drug, “for use in addition to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in adult patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or patients with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks or strokes, who require additional lowering of LDL cholesterol.” It has to be administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks, and the dose is titrated as per need. Injection-site reactions, myalgia, neurocognitive events, pruritus were the major adverse effects observed during clinical trials. Inhibition of PCSK 9 is a new promising target for the treatment of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Key words: Alirocumab, familial hypercholesterolemia, PCSK 9 inhibition


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext
How to cite this articleHow to cite this article
Citation Tools
Related Records
 Articles by Priyanka Kamath
Articles by Preethi J Shenoy
on Google
on Google Scholar


How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy. Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2016; 6(4): 345-348. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135


Web Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy. Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=220966 [Access: March 15, 2024]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy. Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2016; 6(4): 345-348. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy. Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2016), [cited March 15, 2024]; 6(4): 345-348. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135



Harvard Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy (2016) Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 6 (4), 345-348. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135



Turabian Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy. 2016. Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 6 (4), 345-348. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135



Chicago Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy. "Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 6 (2016), 345-348. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy. "Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 6.4 (2016), 345-348. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Priyanka Kamath, Preethi J Shenoy (2016) Alirocumab—a novel drug for familial hypercholesterolemia. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 6 (4), 345-348. doi:10.5455/njppp.2016.6.02032016135