LEQVIO Injection

LEQVIO is an injectable medication prescribed to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. 

Genetically known as inclisiran, LEQVIO is typically indicated for adults with certain types of cardiovascular disease, like ASCVD, or genetic conditions, like HeFH, who need additional LDL-C reduction despite taking statins or other lipid-lowering treatments. 

LEQVIO is not FDA-approved for use in patients under 18.

Inclisiran is the active ingredient in the drug branded as LEQVIO, a medication for lowering LDL-C (“bad” cholesterol) in certain adults. 

As part of a class of drugs known as small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapies, inclisiran is generally prescribed:

1. As part of a long-term treatment plan 

2. For use alongside statins and other lipid-lowering medications 

3. When additional LDL-C reduction is needed.

LEQVIO is an injection, not an infusion.

According to the manufacturer (Novartis), a LEQVIO dose should be administered:

• Under the skin, as a subcutaneous injection

• In the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh area

• By a healthcare provider in a clinical setting.

When patients start a course of LEQVIO medication, the dosing schedule typically involves: 

• A first dose administered at the patient’s convenience

• The second dose delivered 3 months after the first LEQVIO dose

• Ongoing inclisiran doses every 6 months thereafter — That’s 2 LEQVIO doses per year.

Please note that:

• A LEQVIO dose may involve multiple injections. 

• Other injectable medications that lower LDL-C levels tend to require one to two doses per month.

LEQVIO’s long-acting dosing schedule is a key benefit, allowing patients to maintain LDL-C control with just two maintenance injections annually.

LEQVIO is used to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or “bad” cholesterol in adults with ASCVD or HeFH when:

• Patients have made dietary changes.

• Patients are already taking other lipid-lowering medications, such as statins.

• LDL-C levels need to be lowered more than the current statin therapy has been able to achieve. 

LEQVIO works by helping the liver remove more LDL-C (“bad” cholesterol) from the blood.

To do that, the active ingredient in LEQVIO, inclisiran, uses a small interfering RNA (siRNA) mechanism to reduce the production of a specific protein (PCSK9) in the liver. 

Here’s how it works:

• PCSK9 naturally limits how much LDL-C your liver can remove from your blood.

• LEQVIO blocks the production of PCSK9 by targeting its messenger RNA (mRNA).

• With less PCSK9, the liver can remove more LDL-C from the bloodstream.

This process can help lower LDL-C levels over time. 

Unlike other medications used to reduce LDL-C levels, LEQVIO is uniquely long-acting, requiring only two maintenance doses per year after the initial doses.

LEQVIO injections are generally well tolerated. Still, like most medications, inclisiran can come with potential side effects.

According to Novartis, the most common LEQVIO side effects typically include mild to moderate:

• Injection site reactions, such as pain, redness, or swelling

• Chest cold symptoms, like a cough or sore throat

• Joint pain (arthralgia)

Less common, more serious LEQVIO side effects may include:

• Liver enzyme elevations

• Allergic reactions, including rash or itching

• Flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue or muscle aches

When it comes to LEQVIO side effects, it’s crucial that patients:

1. Always discuss their full medical history with their provider before starting a course of LEQVIO injections to ensure they are a safe and appropriate option.

2. Get familiar with common and rare LEQVIO side effects, along with their symptoms, so they know what to look for.

3. Notify their healthcare provider if they experience any inclisiran side effects, especially if symptoms are persistent or severe.

LEQVIO side effects can vary from person to person, depending on individual sensitivity and the specific reaction experienced. With that, no set or standard amount of time characterizes all LEQVIO side effects.

Still, clinical data and studies for inclisiran show that:

• Mild injection site reactions, such as redness, swelling, and pain, typically resolve within a few days.

• Common side effects, like joint pain and cold-like symptoms, are usually temporary and often subside within a week or so.

• Rarer, more serious side effects, like severe allergic reactions, should be addressed immediately by a healthcare provider and may require emergency medical treatment.

When discussing how long LEQVIO side effects last, it’s essential to know that:

• Most people tolerate inclisiran well, especially when their treatment plan includes ongoing monitoring.

• If LEQVIO side effects persist or worsen, patients should contact their healthcare provider ASAP.

No, LEQVIO is not a statin.

It is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy that works differently from statins. That’s because:

• Statins reduce cholesterol by blocking an enzyme involved in its production.

• Alternatively, LEQVIO reduces cholesterol by targeting the liver’s ability to make PCSK9, a protein that limits how much LDL-C the liver can remove from the bloodstream.

Because LEQVIO is not a statin, inclisiran is often prescribed in combination with statins when statins alone are not enough to bring LDL-C levels into a healthy range. 

In other words, LEQVIO is used to enhance the cholesterol-lowering effect of statins, not to replace statin therapy.

Yes, LEQVIO is generally covered under Traditional Medicare Part B. 

Here’s how coverage typically works:

• Traditional Medicare (Part B): LEQVIO is billed under the medical benefit, not prescription drug coverage. If you have supplemental insurance, like Medigap or a retiree plan, out-of-pocket costs for LEQVIO can be as low as $0. If not, you may be responsible for a copay after meeting your deductible.

• Medicare Advantage (Part C): LEQVIO coverage varies by plan, with some covering inclisiran as a medical benefit while others cover it as a pharmacy benefit.

If you have Medicaid, LEQVIO will be covered in all states, with copays typically under $10.

To verify coverage, you can:

1. Contact Medicare or your Medicaid provider for clarification on coverage and copays.

2. Work with a patient navigator at LUX Infusion to get experienced support sorting out coverage and financial assistance programs.

For many patients, LEQVIO is accessible and affordable, especially with supplemental coverage.

The cost of inclisiran can vary depending on:

• Insurance coverage

• Where LEQVIO is administered

• Available financial assistance programs. 

Specifically, LEQVIO costs can be:

• Closer to the manufacturer’s list price without insurance coverage: For a 284 mg inclisiran injection, the price can range from about $3,250 to $3,450 per dose. A recent analysis on LEQVIO costs found that the average retail price for an inclisiran injection is $3,588 without insurance. This pricing only includes drug costs and does not cover provider fees.

• Much more affordable when covered by insurance: More than 75% of LEQVIO patients reportedly pay less than $10 per dose, according to Novartis. About 86% pay $0 through the LEQVIO Co‑Pay Program, their Medicaid and Medigap coverage, and/or financial assistance programs.

To find out how much you can expect to pay for a LEQVIO injection, contact your healthcare provider, your insurance provider, or LUX Infusion.

To find a convenient location for LEQVIO® injections, you can:

• Use the LEQVIO locator here: This free tool from Novartis can match you with approved injection centers near your location, based on your zip code.

• Ask your healthcare provider: Providers can refer patients to local LEQVIO injection centers. They can also help track down out-of-city or out-of-state options if you’re traveling and need LEQVIO injections away from home.

• Contact LUX Infusion when you’re in Alaska: LUX Infusion in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Palmer are approved LEQVIO injection centers that offer inclisiran therapy in luxurious, comfortable, and conveniently located settings. Our team works with healthcare providers nationwide, making it easy to coordinate care and ensure access to inclisiran whenever and wherever patients need it.