Moşteoru S, Gaiţă D, Banach M. An update on PCSK9 inhibitors- pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and toxicity.
Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2020;
16:1199-1205. [PMID:
32966148 DOI:
10.1080/17425255.2020.1828343]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
While atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is affecting growing numbers of patients, lipid-lowering therapies have been continuously improving to achieve prevention of cardiovascular events. Thus, the appearance of a novel therapeutic class, PCSK9 inhibitors, has raised both high expectations as well as concern over possible adverse effects.
AREAS COVERED
This current review aims to analyze adverse events of special interest linked to PCSK9 inhibitors and give recommendations regarding further conduct when dealing with patients on this therapy. The most stringent adverse effect, neurocognitive impairment has been investigated in several studies, concluding that PCSK9 inhibitors neither improved nor worsened cognitive function. While new onset diabetes mellitus has also been a cause of concern due to its possible association with lipid lowering therapies, studies conducted so far have dispelled this possibility by showing that PCSK9 inhibitors do not increase this risk. Also, statin-associated muscle symptoms have not been proven to arise after the use of PCSK9 inhibitors, even in statin-intolerant patients.
EXPERT OPINION
In conclusion, it can be safely stated that so far, no compelling evidence links PCSK9 inhibitors to these adverse events; however, long-term trials are always welcome to further assess potential adverse effects.
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