Leqvio
Leqvio Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Leqvio is a long-acting, synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which is a serine protease that regulates plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. By binding to PCSK9 messenger RNA, inclisiran prevents protein translation of PCSK9, leading to decreased concentrations of PCSK9 and plasma concentrations of LDL cholesterol. Lowering circulating plasma LDL-C levels offers an additional benefit of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and improving cardiovascular outcomes, as hypercholesterolemia is a major known risk factor for CVD.
On December 11, 2020, the European Commission (EC) granted authorization for marketing inclisiran as the first and only approved siRNA for the treatment of adults with primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and non-familial) or mixed dyslipidemia, alone or in combination with other lipid-lowering therapies. It is marketed under the trade name Leqvio and is also currently under review by the FDA.
Leqvio is a long-acting small interfering RNA (siRNA) that works to lower plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. In clinical trials, the reduction of LDL-C levels was observed within 14 days post-dose: mean reductions of LDL-C by 48-51% were observed 30 to 60 days post-dose and reduction of LDL-C levels by 53% persisted after 180 days post-dose. In healthy volunteers, inclisiran reduced PCSK9 levels by 70-80% and LDL-C levels by 27-60%. In a clinical trial consisting of subjects with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with or without diabetes, inclisiran reduced LDL-C levels by 28-52%.
| Trade Name | Leqvio |
| Availability | Prescription only |
| Generic | Inclisiran |
| Inclisiran Other Names | ALN-PCSsc, Inclisiran |
| Related Drugs | Nexletol, Nexlizet, Zetia, Praluent, Repatha, atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, Lipitor, ezetimibe |
| Type | Injection |
| Protein binding | In vitro, inclisiran is 87% protein bound at clinically relevant plasma concentrations. |
| Groups | Approved, Investigational |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd |
| Available Country | United Kingdom, |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Leqvio is a PCSK9-targeted short interfering RNA that lowers plasma LDL-cholesterol levels.
Leqvio is indicated for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and non-familial) or mixed dyslipidemia in adults, as an adjunct to diet.
It can be used in combination with a statin or statin with other lipid-lowering therapies in patients who cannot reach LDL-C goals with the maximum tolerated dose of a statin. In patients who cannot tolerate statins or in whom a statin is contraindicated, inclisiran can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other lipid-lowering therapies.
Leqvio is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Mixed Dyslipidemias, Primary Hypercholesterolemia
How Leqvio works
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors expressed on hepatocytes are responsible for the removal of circulating LDL-C from plasma via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease that is mainly produced by hepatocytes. It binds to LDL receptors and targets them for lysosomal degradation, thereby reducing the levels of LDL receptors, attenuating the recycling of LDL receptors, and elevating the levels of circulating plasma LDL-C.
Leqvio is conjugated to triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine carbohydrates, which can bind to asialoglycoprotein receptors expressed in the liver. Binding to asialoglycoprotein receptors facilitates the uptake of inclisiran into the hepatocytes. Once inside the hepatocyte, inclisiran binds to the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which is a ribonucleoprotein complex that serves as a template for recognizing the target complementary mRNA, activate RNAse, and cleave the target mRNA. Leqvio incorporated into the RISC allows the drug to cleave PCSK9 mRNA and prevent PCSK9 translation, thus decreasing hepatic production of PCSK9. Less PCSK9 protein available allows more LDL receptors to be recycled to the hepatic membrane for circulating LDL-C uptake.
Toxicity
There is no information on the LD50 value of inclisiran. There were no clinically relevant adverse reactions in healthy volunteers who received inclisiran at doses up to three times the therapeutic dose. If an overdose is suspected, symptomatic and supportive treatments should be initiated.
Food Interaction
No interactions found.Leqvio Disease Interaction
Volume of Distribution
The apparent volume of distribution was approximately 500 L following subcutaneous administration of a single 284 mg dose of inclisiran in healthy adults. According to non-clinical studies, inclisiran is highly taken up by the liver.
Elimination Route
After uptake into the liver, inclisiran has a long duration of action. Following subcutaneous administration of a single dose ranging from 24 mg to 756 mg, systemic exposure to inclisiran increased in a dose-proportional manner. The mean Cmax was 509 ng/mL and the Tmax was approximately 4 hours after the administration of 284 mg inclisiran. The mean AUC0-inf was 7980 ng x h/mL. After 48 hours of dosing, drug plasma concentrations were undetectable. Pharmacokinetic findings following a single-dose administration of inclisiran were comparable to inclisiran administered in multiple doses.
Half Life
The terminal elimination half-life of inclisiran is approximately 9 hours.
Clearance
There is limited information on the clearance rate of inclisiran.
Elimination Route
About 16% of the total dose of inclisiran is cleared through the kidney.
Innovators Monograph
You find simplified version here Leqvio
