A new vaccine for high cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)? Let's learn about Leqvio!

"Doctor, it's been a while since I started taking medication for this cholesterol. I also control my diet very well. But my cholesterol level still hasn't come down..." Do you feel something like this too? Or does someone in your family have this problem? In fact, controlling cholesterol is a big challenge for some people. Although many people get good results from 'statin' type drugs, some do not. So, a new drug called Leqvio has been introduced to help such people. Let's talk about this in detail and simply today.

What is this high cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)?

Simply put, Hyperlipidemia is when you have too many types of fat (we call them lipids) in your blood. We all need some fat in our bodies. They perform many important functions. But it's when they get too high that the problems start. If these fat levels are high over time, the risk of developing serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, and heart attack increases significantly.

We often talk about two of the main types of fats.

In addition, there is another type of fat called triglycerides. It is not good to have too much of them.

What are the causes of high cholesterol?

Most of the time, this is caused by a combination of our lifestyle, diet, and certain diseases.

• Food and Drink: Red meat, sausages, bacon, and oily foods (fried rice, kebabs, parathas) are high in saturated fat. Eating these frequently increases cholesterol.
• Lifestyle: Things like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, and lack of exercise have a major impact on increasing cholesterol.
• Other medical conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, liver or kidney problems, hypothyroidism, and sleep apnea can also cause high cholesterol.

The main goal of treatment is to reduce the level of these "bad" fats in the blood. This can reduce the risk of serious events such as heart attacks and strokes.

How does the drug Leqvio work?

Statins are the main medication for cholesterol. However, some people do not get their cholesterol levels as low as they would like despite taking these medications and following a healthy diet. People with a genetic condition called "primary hyperlipidemia" may need more than one medication.

Leqvio is a new drug that has come to help these people. The active ingredient in it is Inclisiran. It belongs to a class of drugs called `small interfering RNA (siRNA)`.

This is a completely different way than how statin drugs work.

Can anyone with cholesterol use Leqvio?

No. This is not a medicine for everyone. Leqvio is approved for people who are already on a diet and taking the maximum dose of a statin, but still have high cholesterol levels .

This medication may be recommended, especially for people with a genetic condition called `Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).` If you have high cholesterol and your levels are not coming down despite taking statins and following a healthy diet, your doctor may talk to you about Leqvio. Only your doctor can decide if this is right for you.

How do I get this vaccine?

Leqvio is not a pill, it is a shot . It is a subcutaneous injection. You cannot give it at home. It is given by a healthcare professional (doctor or nurse) in a hospital or clinic.

The vaccination schedule is as follows:

1. First vaccination: You will be given one vaccination first.

2. Second vaccination: The second vaccination is given 3 months after the first vaccination.

3. After that: After that, you need to get one injection every 6 months .

This vaccine can be injected into the thigh, abdomen, or back of the upper arm. It is very important to get your vaccine on time and not miss any appointments.

What do you know about the success of Leqvio?

Three main studies have been done to see how effective and safe Leqvio is. These studies were conducted over a period of 18 months.

• Two studies: Participants included people with heart disease who were unable to lower their cholesterol levels despite using statins.
• In the other study, people with a genetic cholesterol condition called `HeFH` participated.

In these studies, one group was given the Leqvio vaccine and the other group was given a placebo vaccine that had no effect. The results were very clear.

These results show that Leqvio is a drug that can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels that are not controlled by statins. Cholesterol levels usually begin to decrease within the first 3 months.

Does this medicine reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke?

This is a very important question. Statin drugs have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. But Leqvio is a drug that works differently.

However, such a large reduction in LDL cholesterol suggests that this risk may be reduced in the future. More long-term studies are underway to confirm this.

Side effects and how to manage them?

Like any medicine, Leqvio can cause minor side effects. The most common are reactions at the injection site .

• Redness at the injection site
• Itching
• Pain

For this reason, the healthcare professional who gives the vaccine will not give the vaccine into an area that is sunburned, has a rash, or is infected. If you have had a previous injection and have had more pain, tell the doctor or nurse. They can then choose a different site.

Apart from these, other side effects may occur. If you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately.

There are currently no reported interactions between Leqvio and other medications. However, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.