The new face of hyperlipidemia management: Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin inhibitors (PCSK-9) and their emergent role as an alternative to statin therapy

Abstract

This review analyzes Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 inhibitors (PCSK-9), a new medication class that has arisen in the last year to combat hypercholesterolemia. They are targeted towards patients who are unable to achieve acceptable low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels despite maximum statin therapy, as well as those who are unable to tolerate maximum statin therapy due to side effects such as myopathy or myalgia. Two of these medications have been released in the last year: alirocumab (Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha). This article will overview this medication class, describe their pathophysiology, and analyze the clinical data from the numerous studies and trials done on both of these medications for their efficacy and safety outcomes. Data compiled on this new class of medications support the research that PCSK-9 inhibitors are both a safe and effective means of lowering the LDL levels of resistant or otherwise currently unmanaged hypercholesterolemia patients.