Repatha’s (evolocumab) dosage for lowering cholesterol and cardiovascular risks is typically 140 milligrams (mg) every 2 weeks or 420 mg every month. Your dosing schedule may vary. Be sure to take the Repatha dosage your doctor prescribes.
Repatha (evolocumab) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved use of Repatha to:
- reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) in certain adults and children ages 10 years and older
- decrease the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for certain surgeries in adults with cardiovascular disease
For some uses, Repatha is prescribed in combination with a heart-healthy diet and other cholesterol-lowering therapies.
The active ingredient in Repatha is evolocumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Repatha belongs to a class of biologic drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors.
This article describes the dosages of Repatha, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Repatha, including its uses and side effects, see this in-depth Repatha article.
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Repatha and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following table highlights the basics of Repatha’s typical dosages. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
Always be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.
| Purpose | Dosage |
|---|---|
| reducing LDL cholesterol in adults with hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) | 140 mg once every 2 weeks, or 420 mg once every month |
| reducing LDL cholesterol in adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) | 420 mg once every month |
| reducing LDL cholesterol in children ages 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) | 140 mg once every 2 weeks, or 420 mg once every month |
| reducing LDL cholesterol in children ages 10 years and older with HoFH | 420 mg once every month |
| reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for certain heart surgeries in adults with cardiovascular disease | 140 mg once every 2 weeks, or 420 mg once every month |
Keep reading for more details about Repatha dosage.
Repatha forms
Repatha comes as a solution that you’ll administer by injection under your skin.
It’s available in two forms: prefilled syringes and SureClick autoinjectors.
Repatha strengths
Repatha is available in two strengths: 140 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) and 420 mg/3.5 mL.
The prescribed Repatha dosage may vary depending on the condition it’s being used to treat. Always follow your prescribing doctor’s instructions. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about potential dangers of taking Repatha or if you experience any Repatha side effects.
For all conditions below, doses of 140 mg can be given with either a prefilled syringe or a SureClick autoinjector. Doses of 420 mg require three back-to-back injections within 30 minutes using prefilled syringes or SureClick autoinjectors.
Dosage for decreasing LDL cholesterol in adults with hyperlipidemia
Two dosage options are available for reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH):
- 140 mg once every 2 weeks, or
- 420 mg once every month
Dosage for decreasing LDL cholesterol in adults with HoFH
The typical injection dosage for reducing LDL cholesterol in adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is 420 mg once every month.
After 12 weeks, your doctor may increase your dosage if the monthly dose is not working well enough. The new dosage is typically 420 mg once every 2 weeks. Doctors may also prescribe this dosage for people using lipid apheresis (a blood-filtering therapy that’s used to lower cholesterol).
Dosage for decreasing certain risks in adults with cardiovascular disease
Two dosage options are available for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for certain heart surgeries in adults with cardiovascular disease. These are:
- 140 mg once every 2 weeks
- 420 mg once every month
Children’s dosages
Repatha is approved to lower LDL cholesterol in children ages 10 years and older with certain types of high cholesterol.
Dosage for decreasing LDL cholesterol in children with HeFH
Two dosage options are available for reducing LDL cholesterol in children with HeFH:
- 140 mg once every 2 weeks
- 420 mg once every month
Dosage for decreasing LDL cholesterol in children with HoFH
The typical injection dosage for reducing LDL cholesterol in children with HoFH is 420 mg once every month.
After 12 weeks, doctors may increase the child’s dosage if the monthly dose is not working well enough. The new dosage is typically 420 mg once every 2 weeks. Doctors may also prescribe this dosage for children using lipid apheresis (a blood-filtering therapy that’s used to lower cholesterol).
For more information about Repatha’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Repatha comes as a solution that you’ll administer by subcutaneous injection.
A healthcare professional will show you or a caregiver how to inject the drug. They’ll give you instructions for injecting it at home.
You can inject Repatha doses at any time during the day.
Before injecting Repatha, take it out of the refrigerator and let it set at room temperature for a while. Let prefilled syringes and SureClick autoinjectors sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Do not warm or heat Repatha in any way.
Additionally, before injecting the drug, look at the color of the Repatha solution to make sure it’s colorless or pale yellow. Do not inject the medication if it looks cloudy or discolored or has any floating particles.
You can inject Repatha into your abdomen or thigh. If a caregiver is injecting it, they can use your upper arm. Make sure the site chosen is not bruised, sore, or red or discolored. Do not inject Repatha into a scarred area, including those with stretch marks. Choose a new site each time you inject a Repatha dose.
Read more about how to take Repatha.
How long do you use Repatha?
Repatha is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of Repatha and you remember the missed dose within 7 days, take the missed dose. After that, you can keep your original dosing schedule and take the next dose at the usual time.
However, if it’s been more than 7 days since the missed dose, what you should do depends on how often you typically take Repatha. Recommendations are as follows:
- If you take Repatha once every 2 weeks, skip the missed dose. Take your next scheduled dose at the usual time.
- If you take Repatha once every month, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then, start a new monthly dosing schedule based on the date you take the missed dose.
If you need help deciding whether or not to take a missed dose, call your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Repatha than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects. Read more about Repatha’s side effects.
What to do if you use more than the recommended dosage of Repatha
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Repatha. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some common questions related to Repatha’s dosage.
What is the dosing schedule for Repatha? Is there a typical dosing frequency for the drug?
The dosing schedule for Repatha varies depending on the condition being treated. The dosing frequency (how often you’ll take the drug) depends on the dosage your doctor prescribes.
You can learn about Repatha’s dosing schedules and frequencies in the “Repatha dosage” section above.
If you have questions about the dosing schedule or how often you’ll need to take Repatha, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does Repatha have recommended dosing instructions?
Yes, there are recommended dosing instructions for administering Repatha. You can find details below in the “How to use Repatha” section.
To learn more about Repatha’s dosing instructions and how it’s administered, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can answer specific questions you may have.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
