Praluent (alirocumab) is a prescription brand-name medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for the following uses:

Praluent belongs to a group of drugs known as PCSK9 inhibitors. These drugs work by helping to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood.

Praluent comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled pen. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection.

Praluent is a brand-name biologic drug. There’s currently no biosimilar version available.

For information on the dosage of Praluent, including its form, strengths, and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Praluent, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Praluent provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Praluent, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Learn about Praluent’s dosage, including its form and strengths, below.

Praluent form

Praluent comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled pen. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection.

Praluent strengths

Praluent is available in the following strengths:

  • 75 milligrams per milliliter of solution (75 mg/mL)
  • 150 mg/mL

Typical dosages

Typically, your doctor will prescribe a low starting dose. Then they may adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosing schedule and frequency to fit your needs.

Dosages for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and unstable angina

Praluent is approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and unstable angina (a type of chest pain) that requires hospitalization in adults with heart disease.

For this purpose, the recommended starting dosage of Praluent is 75 mg once every 2 weeks or 300 mg once every 4 weeks.

After at least 1 month of treatment, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels. If your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is still high, your doctor may adjust your dosage to 150 mg once every 2 weeks.

Dosages for lowering LDL cholesterol

Praluent is approved to lower LDL cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). This includes people with inherited conditions called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).

For adults with primary hyperlipidemia, including HeFH, the usual starting dosage of Praluent is either 75 mg once every 2 weeks or 300 mg once every 4 weeks.

For adults with HoFH and adults with HeFH who are undergoing apheresis,* the usual dosage is 150 mg once every 2 weeks. The monthly dosing option (every 4 weeks) isn’t prescribed for adults with these conditions.

After at least 1 month of treatment, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels. If your LDL cholesterol is still high, your doctor may adjust your dosage. The maximum dosage of Praluent is 150 mg once every 2 weeks or 300 mg every 4 weeks.

* Apheresis is a procedure that removes excess LDL cholesterol from the blood. Some people with HeFH have LDL apheresis every 1 or 2 weeks. Praluent treatment won’t affect the timing of your LDL apheresis schedule.

Long-term use

Praluent is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Praluent is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you miss a dose of Praluent by 7 days or less, take it as soon as possible. (In other words, you can take the missed dose up to 7 days late.) Then continue taking Praluent according to your usual dosing schedule.

But if you miss a dose of Praluent by more than 7 days, your next dose will depend on your dosing schedule:

  • If you take Praluent every 2 weeks, do not take the missed dose. Wait until your next scheduled Praluent dose.
  • If you take Praluent every 4 weeks, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Then you’ll start a new dosing schedule based on this date.

Your healthcare professional or pharmacist can help you with your dosing schedule if needed.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. You can try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone. A note on your calendar works, too.

The Praluent dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Praluent to treat
  • how well Praluent works to lower your cholesterol

Before you start Praluent, your healthcare professional will show you or a caregiver how to inject the drug. Make sure to use Praluent according to your prescribed instructions.

Praluent comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled pen. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection.

You’ll store Praluent pens in the refrigerator* at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Remove Praluent from the refrigerator 30 to 40 minutes before you inject your dose and allow it to come to room temperature naturally. You should not microwave Praluent pens or place them in direct sunlight.

You can self-inject Praluent into the top of your thigh or your abdomen (belly). If you use your abdomen, do not inject Praluent within 2 inches of your belly button. If you have a caregiver, they can give you the injection in your upper arm.

You should choose a different injection site each time you use Praluent. And avoid areas where your skin is tender, hard, or irritated. This is important to help prevent injection site reactions such as pain or swelling.

If you take Praluent monthly (every 4 weeks), you’ll use two separate 150-milligram injections in a row. You should use a new pen for each injection and choose two different injection sites.

If you have questions about how to use Praluent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful video and step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.

After injecting the dose, you’ll dispose of the pen using a sharps container. If you have questions about medication disposal, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* If needed, Praluent may be stored at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C) for up to 30 days.

It’s important that you do not use more Praluent than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Praluent

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Praluent. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Praluent for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Praluent without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Praluent that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Praluent. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Praluent. For information about other aspects of Praluent, refer to this article.
  • Side effects. To learn about side effects of Praluent, see the drug’s patient information.
  • Details on your condition.

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.