You can inject Repatha (evolocumab) into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. There are certain steps you can take to ensure you inject Repatha correctly.
Repatha (evolocumab) is a brand-name prescription medication. It belongs to a class of biologic drugs called PCSK9 cholesterol-lowering medications.
Healthcare professionals prescribe Repatha to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. It’s also prescribed to help manage high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in certain cases.
This article looks at Repatha injection sites and how to inject and store the medication.
Repatha comes as a solution that’s injected subcutaneously (under the skin). It can be injected using:
- the SureClick autoinjector
- a prefilled syringe that contains a single dose
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will advise you or a caregiver on how to inject the medication. They’ll provide instructions on how to inject your dose at home.
Repatha can be injected at different sites on your body, including your:
- abdomen, except for 2 inches around your navel
- thigh
- upper arm, but only if another person is administering your dose
Before injecting Repatha, make sure the skin of the site you choose is not sore, bruised, or discolored. Avoid injecting into any scarred areas, such as stretch marks or surgical scars. This is because, over time, scar tissue can build up at injection sites you repeatedly choose. This can cause the area to become sensitive or painful. It may even become harder to inject the needle in that area over time.
It’s important to remember to choose a different site each time you inject a dose of Repatha. If you need to choose the same location, make sure it’s a different spot from your previous injection.
If you administer Repatha at home, you should follow the injection instructions that your doctor provides.
Before you inject your dose of Repatha, be sure to remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you need to administer it. This will allow the medication to reach room temperature, which helps with taking the full dose and reducing any discomfort.
You should also check the dose is within its expiration date on the label and that the fluid you can see through the window is clear. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), taking expired medications can
To inject Repatha autoinjector into your abdomen or thigh, follow these steps:
- Remove the orange cap covering the needle of the autoinjector. Do not bend, twist, or wiggle the cap.
- Pinch or stretch 2 inches of skin at your chosen site between your thumb and fingers to create a firm surface.
- Keeping hold of the site, gently press the yellow guard to the site until it touches your skin.
- When you’re ready to inject, press the gray start button until you hear a click.
- Keep the autoinjector pen on your skin for 15 seconds after you remove your thumb.
- Gently lift the autoinjector from your skin.
To inject Repatha syringe into your abdomen or thigh, follow these steps:
- Pinch 2 inches of skin at your chosen site between your thumb and fingers.
- Hold this pinch.
- Inject Repatha at a 45- to 90-degree angle.
- Slowly with consistent pressure, push the plunger all the way down until it stops.
- Release the plunger and gently lift the syringe from your skin.
To inject Repatha into your upper arm, your caregiver or a family member can follow the above steps. To learn more about how to inject Repatha, you can view video instructions from the drugmaker’s website.
Disposing Repatha
After you administer your dose, do not throw away the needle cap and syringe into your trash at home. You should dispose of the empty syringe following the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist. Typically, this includes placing it in a sharps container. You should follow your community guidelines for
You can inject Repatha at any time of day.
Typically, you’ll administer your dose of Repatha once every 2 weeks or once per month. If you administer Repatha monthly, you may need to administer three separate injections in a row.
If you miss your regular dose, take it as soon as possible if it is within 7 days of the missed dose. If it’s more than 7 days from the missed dose and you have a 2-week routine, wait until your next scheduled dose. However, if you have a monthly routine, you should inject your dose immediately and begin a new routine from this dose.
Do not take two Repatha doses together to make up for a missed dose. This may increase your risk of side effects with Repatha.
The different forms of Repatha typically use tiny needles that inject the drug into an area of fat just below the skin. These needles are short and thin, many people don’t feel these injections.
However, according to
Also, certain injection sites may be less likely to cause discomfort than others. For example, when injecting higher doses of Repatha, you might feel less pain in your abdomen compared to other injection sites.
Repatha may also cause injection site reactions. For more information on this side effect and others, view this article.
Before you use Repatha, talk with your doctor about your medical history. Repatha may not be the right medication for you if you have certain existing medical conditions, allergies, or other factors affecting your health.
For example, if you’re allergic to latex or rubber, you should avoid certain forms of Repatha. Some forms use needle covers that contain rubber and may increase your risk of an allergic reaction. Also, if you have a history of an allergic reaction to Repatha or any of its ingredients you should avoid using it. It’s important to talk with your doctor about any allergies you may have.
To learn about other precautions of Repatha, see this article.
You can store Repatha both in the refrigerator and at room temperature.
If you keep Repatha in the refrigerator at temperatures between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C), it’s safe to administer until its expiration date. You should not store Repatha in the freezer.
If you store Repatha at room temperatures between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C), you should administer these doses within 30 days. Do not place Repatha back in the refrigerator.
Keep in mind that you must store Repatha in its original packaging to protect it from light. You should dispose of any doses that aren’t used within 30 days.
Repatha can be injected under the skin of your thigh, abdomen, and upper arm. Keep in mind to choose a different site each time you inject your dose.
You can administer Repatha at any time of day. If you miss a dose, you should administer it as soon as possible or correct your routine depending on your typical treatment plan.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about injecting Repatha.
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.