Leqvio (inclisiran) is a prescription drug that’s used in people with certain types of high cholesterol. Leqvio can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include injection site reactions and diarrhea.
Leqvio is used to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol* in adults with:
- heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol)
- atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (a type of heart disease)
The active ingredient in Leqvio is inclisiran. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin. You’ll receive injections at your doctor’s office or another healthcare facility.
Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Leqvio can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
* LDL is also known as “bad” cholesterol.
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Leqvio treatment. Examples of Leqvio’s commonly reported side effects include:
- injection site reaction*
- joint pain*
- urinary tract infection (UTI)*
- diarrhea*
- bronchitis*
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Leqvio treatment in studies.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Mild side effects have been reported with Leqvio. These include:
- injection site reaction*
- joint pain*
- urinary tract infection (UTI)*
- diarrhea*
- bronchitis*
- pain in your arms or legs
- shortness of breath
- mild allergic reaction*†
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Leqvio unless your doctor recommends it.
Leqvio may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after receiving Leqvio. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.
Serious side effects with Leqvio are not common. In fact, none were reported in studies. But serious side effects could still occur during your treatment. Examples include:
- severe injection site reaction*
- severe allergic reaction*
If you develop serious side effects while taking 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.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
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 Leqvio, visit MedWatch.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Leqvio’s side effects.
How do the side effects of Leqvio compare with those of Repatha?
Many of the side effects reported in studies with Leqvio were also seen in studies of Repatha. However, shortness of breath and pain in your arms or legs were reported in Leqvio’s studies but not in Repatha’s.
Repatha has a warning for serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, but Leqvio does not. Other side effects reported with Repatha but not Leqvio include:
- headache
- muscle pain
- high blood pressure
- dizziness
To learn more about Repatha’s side effects, see this article.
Does Leqvio cause liver-related side effects?
No. In studies of Leqvio, no liver-related side effects were reported. But it’s important to note that Leqvio has not been studied in people with severe liver problems.
If you have a severe liver problem, such as liver failure, talk with your doctor before taking Leqvio.
Learn more about some of the side effects Leqvio may cause.
Injection site reactions
Leqvio can cause injection site reactions, which are side effects that occur where the drug has been injected. Examples of injection site reactions include:
- bruising
- pain
- discoloration (such as redness)
- itchiness
- burning or a prickling sensation
Mild injection site reactions were common in studies of Leqvio. Serious injection site reactions may be possible but were not reported in studies.
What might help
If you experience an injection site reaction after receiving a Leqvio dose, talk with your doctor about ways to treat it. They may also have advice on how to help prevent an injection site reaction when receiving your next dose.
For example, your doctor may recommend using a cream that’s applied to your skin, such as hydrocortisone, before or after your injection. They may also suggest applying an ice pack to the injection site after receiving your dose. This could help relieve pain or swelling from the injection.
Joint pain
Leqvio can cause joint pain in some people. This was a common side effect reported in studies of the drug. This can include pain in your elbows, knees, or other joints. Pain in the arms and legs was also reported in studies of Leqvio.
What might help
If you experience joint pain during your Leqvio treatment, talk with your doctor about how to treat or help prevent it. They may suggest that you take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, such as naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil), or acetaminophen (Tylenol), before or after your Leqvio injection.
Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medications. They’ll let you know whether these medications are safe for you to take.
Urinary tract infection
Some people may develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) during Leqvio treatment. In studies, this was a common side effect of Leqvio.
Symptoms of a UTI can include:
- burning while urinating
- increased urge to urinate without passing much urine
- dark urine that’s cola- or tea-colored
- bloody urine
- cloudy urine
If a UTI is not treated, it can lead to serious side effects, such as problems with your bladder or kidneys.
What might help
To help prevent a UTI, you should drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. Other tips include:
- Do not hold your urine in for a long period of time.
- Take probiotics.
- If you have a vagin*, wipe genitals from front to back.
- Avoid scented vagin*l products, such as scented pads or deodorant sprays.
If you’re concerned about developing a UTI during your Leqvio treatment, talk with your doctor.
Diarrhea
Some people receiving Leqvio may have diarrhea. This was a common side effect reported in Leqvio’s studies.
Diarrhea caused by Leqvio is usually mild. Symptoms can include:
- increased frequency and volume of bowel movements
- increased urgency to have a bowel movement
- loose or watery stools
What might help
If you have diarrhea during your Leqvio treatment, drink plenty of water and eat bland foods, such as toast or bananas. OTC medications such as loperamide (Imodium) may also help. But be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC medications. They’ll let you know whether a medication is safe to take based on other drugs you take or conditions you have.
If you experience diarrhea with Leqvio that doesn’t go away or becomes severe, talk with your doctor.
Bronchitis
Leqvio can cause bronchitis in some people. This was a common side effect reported in studies of the drug.
With bronchitis, the tubes that carry air from your throat to your lungs get inflamed or infected. This causes mucus to build up, which can lead to symptoms that are similar to those of a cold or flu. These symptoms may include:
- fever
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- back ache or muscle aches
What might help
If you think you might have bronchitis, talk with your doctor. In most cases, bronchitis can be managed at home with OTC medications. Your doctor may recommend OTC ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve fever or aches and pain.
Other OTC drugs, such as dextromethorphan (Delsym) or dextromethorphan/guaifenesin (Mucinex DM), may also help relieve cough and loosen mucus.
Other tips to help relieve your symptoms include using a humidifier in your bedroom and drinking plenty of liquids.
If your symptoms are severe or don’t improve with OTC treatments, your doctor may suggest a chest X-ray or a blood test to determine whether you have pneumonia or a different respiratory infection. If they confirm you have an infection other than bronchitis, they’ll likely prescribe an antibiotic to treat it.
Allergic reaction
Like most drugs, Leqvio can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.
Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:
- an antihistamine that you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- a product that you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Leqvio, they’ll determine whether you should continue using it.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Leqvio, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Keeping track of side effectsDuring your Leqvio treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
- what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how your symptoms affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were taking
- any other information you feel is important
Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Leqvio affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Leqvio may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Leqvio is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Leqvio. Factors to consider include those described below.
Severe liver problems. Leqvio hasn’t been studied in people who have severe liver problems, such as liver failure. So, it’s not known whether the drug is safe or effective for people with this kind of condition. If you have a severe liver problem, talk with your doctor about whether Leqvio is safe for you.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Leqvio or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Leqvio. Ask them what other medications may be better options for you.
Alcohol and Leqvio
There is no known interaction between Leqvio and alcohol. However, drinking large amounts of alcohol over time can make it more likely for you to have high cholesterol, which is one of the conditions Leqvio is used to treat.
You’ll likely take a statin along with Leqvio. Both statins and alcohol can affect your liver. Your doctor may recommend that you limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking a statin.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to consume with your condition and treatment plan.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Leqvio
It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Leqvio while pregnant. There haven’t been any studies done on the drug’s use during pregnancy.
However, cholesterol is necessary during fetal development, and Leqvio works to lower cholesterol. Because of the potential harm Leqvio could cause to a fetus, doctors will likely not prescribe this medication to someone who is pregnant.
If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about your treatment options.
If you become pregnant while using Leqvio, talk with your doctor right away about stopping your Leqvio treatment. Your doctor can tell you about other medications that may be safer for you.
It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Leqvio while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Leqvio treatment.
If you still have questions about the side effects of Leqvio, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions that you may want to ask include:
- How do Leqvio’s side effects compare with those of other drugs that can treat my condition?
- Is my risk of injection site reactions higher when I first start treatment?
- Do I have a higher risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI) when I start Leqvio treatment?
To learn more about Leqvio, see these articles:
- All About Leqvio
- Dosage Details for Leqvio
- Leqvio and Cost: What You Need to Know
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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.
