If you have high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart and blood vessels), your doctor may suggest Praluent for you. It’s a prescription drug used to:

The active ingredient in Praluent is alirocumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Praluent belongs to a group of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors.

Praluent comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled pen. You’ll inject the drug under your skin.

This article describes the dosages of Praluent, as well as its strengths and how to use it. To learn more about Praluent, see this in-depth article.

Please keep in mind that this article covers Praluent’s standard dosing schedules, which are provided by the drugmaker. But always follow the dosage schedule and instructions your doctor provides.

See below for more details about Praluent’s dosage.

What is Praluent’s form?

Praluent comes as a liquid solution inside of a single-dose prefilled pen. You inject the drug under your skin.

What strengths does Praluent come in?

Praluent comes in two strengths: 75 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) and 150 mg/mL.

What are the usual dosages of Praluent?

Your doctor may start by prescribing you a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to follow the dosing instructions your doctor provides. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage to reduce LDL cholesterol

Praluent is used to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with high cholesterol, including specific kinds of inherited high cholesterol.

To reduce LDL, the dosage of Praluent is either:

  • 75 mg or 150 mg given once every 2 weeks
  • 300 mg given once every 4 weeks

If this dosage doesn’t reduce your LDL cholesterol enough, your doctor may adjust your dosage. Your doctor can tell you more about the dosing frequency of Praluent that’s right for you.

Dosage to lower certain risks in people with cardiovascular disease

Praluent is used to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, or unstable angina that requires a hospital stay in adults with cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart and blood vessels).

For this use, the dosage of Praluent is either:

  • 75 mg given once every 2 weeks
  • 300 mg given once every 4 weeks

Your doctor will determine the dosing schedule of Praluent that’s right for you.

Is Praluent used long term?

Yes, Praluent is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.

If you realize you missed a dose of Praluent and it’s within 7 days of when you were supposed to inject it, inject the missed dose. Then, inject your next dose at its scheduled time.

If it’s been more than 7 days since you missed your dose:

  • If you inject the drug every 2 weeks, skip the missed dose and inject your next dose as scheduled.
  • If you inject the drug every 4 weeks, inject your dose now and start a new schedule based on this date.

If you need help remembering to inject your dose of Praluent on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

You inject Praluent under your skin of your belly or thigh. If someone else is giving you the injection, your upper arm is also an option for an injection site.

Your doctor will teach you how to give yourself a Praluent injection. Do not try to give yourself an injection until you’ve received this training.

You can also find written directions and an instructional video on the Praluent website.

If you store Praluent in the refrigerator, take it out 30 to 40 minutes before injecting. This allows the drug to reach room temperature. (Do not microwave the drug or place it in direct sunlight.)

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Praluent, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Do not inject more Praluent than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you inject too much Praluent

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Praluent. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Praluent for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Praluent without your doctor’s recommendation. Only use Praluent exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Will you change my dosage of Praluent if I’m taking other drugs to lower my cholesterol?
  • If I need a higher dosage, will I have more side effects?
  • Will you change my dosage if Praluent isn’t working well enough for me?

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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.