Medicine & USMLE

PCSK9 Inhibitors (Alirocumab, Evolocumab)

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Cardiovascular Pharm (Old)
  1. Adenosine
  2. Magnesium
  3. Nitroprusside
  4. Nitrates
  5. Ivabradine
  6. Digoxin/Digitalis
  7. Class IA Antiarrhythmics
  8. Class IB Antiarrhythmics
  9. Class IC Antiarrhythmics
  10. Class II Antiarrhythmics
  11. Class III Antiarrhythmics - Amiodarone
  12. Class III Antiarrythmics - Sotalol
  13. Class III Antiarrhythmics - Ibutilide, Dofetilide
  14. Class IV Antiarrhythmics - Verapamil, Diltiazem
  15. HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
  16. Ezetimibe
  17. Fibrates
  18. PCSK9 Inhibitors (Alirocumab, Evolocumab)
  19. Fish Oil and Omega-3s
  20. Milrinone
  21. Aliskiren
  22. Hydralazine
  23. Ranolazine
  24. Sacubitril

Summary

Alirocumab and evolocumab are PCSK9 inhibitors, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs. They act by inhibiting PCSK9, a protease that binds and breaks down LDL receptors. This results in an increase in LDL receptor levels in the liver, which increases liver uptake of LDL and decreases LDL levels in the blood.  This decrease in circulating LDL is what makes these drugs useful in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.