Abstract
Evolocumab is a PCSK9 inhibitor which is administered subcutaneously, and when added to statin therapy it has been shown to cause a significant incremental LDL-C reduction, leading to a reduction of cardiovascular risk. Evolocumab has a favorable side effect profile, and its self-administration at home appears to be safe and effective with the appropriate training and instructions from a health care provider. Current studies are showing encouraging results regarding adherence to evolocumab in real-life settings, and adherence rates to evolocumab appear to be better than those to statins. However, further larger studies are needed for a more definitive assessment of the short- and long-term patient adherence rates to evolocumab. In addition, reductions in the price of evolocumab may also be necessary to improve cost-effectiveness of the drug.
Disclosure
Dr Constantine E Kosmas reports personal fees from Amgen, outside the submitted work. Dr Eliscer Guzman reports personal fees from Amgen Inc., outside the submitted work. Dr Kosmas and Dr Guzman are members of the Dyslipidemia Speaker Bureau of Amgen, Inc. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.