Can Repatha cause high blood pressure?
Is high blood pressure (hypertension) a side effect of Repatha (evolocumab)?
Repatha can cause the side effect of high blood pressure (hypertension) in some patients. In the Repatha (evolocumab) clinical trial called DESCARTES, the incidence of hypertension was 0.9% more in the Repatha group compared to patients in the placebo group (3.2% vs 2.3%).
You can have high blood pressure without any symptoms so when on Repatha it is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly, when you visit your health care professional.
Hypertension can cause damage to your body including increase the risk of:
- aneurysm (a bulge in an artery wall that may burst leading to serious internal bleeding)
- damage to the retina of the eye
- enlarged heart
- heart attack
- heart failure
- kidney failure
- stroke
Patients on Repatha have high cholesterol levels and so are at higher risk of cardiovascular events. An increase in blood pressure adds another cardiovascular risk which you need to be aware of. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure monitored when you start Repatha and throughout treatment.
More information on Repatha side effects.
References
- Repatha Medication Information: https://www.drugclasses.com/pro/repatha.html
- A 52-Week Placebo-Controlled Trial of Evolocumab in Hyperlipidemia: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1316222
- High Blood Pressure: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
Read next
Are there any dangers of taking Repatha?
A serious danger of taking Repatha (evolocumab) includes a possibly life-threatening allergic reaction. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to rubber or latex. Other side effects, which could be serious in some people, include high blood sugar levels (diabetes), respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), high blood pressure, and influenza (flu). Continue reading
Praluent vs Repatha: What's the difference?
The differences between Repatha (evolocumab) and Praluent (alirocumab) are their active ingredients, number of treatment indications, dosage forms available and number of strengths available in syringe and pens forms. Continue reading
What is the difference between Leqvio and Repatha?
Leqvio and Repatha are both injectable medicines that are used for the treatment of high cholesterol, by specifically lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Although they both inhibit PCSK9 they work by different mechanisms. Repatha is a monoclonal antibody that binds directly to PCSK9 in the liver preventing it from binding to LDL receptors. Leqvio blocks the PCSK9 protein by interfering with the translation of PCSK9 messenger RNA. Both have the same result – and that is freeing up LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells which allows LDL cholesterol to be removed from the blood. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What is the best time of day to take Repatha?
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- How long can Repatha be kept unrefrigerated?
- How do you inject Repatha?
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- How much does Repatha cost?
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- How does Repatha work?
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- Is Repatha effective without a statin?
- How long do Repatha side effects last?
- How fast does Repatha work?
Drug information
- Repatha Information for Consumers
- Repatha prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Repatha (detailed)
Related support groups
- Repatha (33 questions, 93 members)