According to the Heart Foundation, 42% of Australian adults are living with high cholesterol, which is most common in people aged 55 to 64 years of age.
If diagnosed, many of these people will be taking a cholesterol lowering medicines daily. Although this comes with the risk of people not keeping up this regime, especially as they are most likely to be on the medicines for the longer term.
In what is a game changer, there have been advances in pharmaceutical processing technologies in recent years that have resulted in the development of medicines that provide coverage ranging from weeks to months after one injection.
One example is Inclisiran (Leqvio®), which is a cholesterol-lowering medication that’s given by a doctor or other healthcare provider every six months after an initial dose, and a second at three months.
It works by improving the liver’s natural ability to prevent the production of a protein that plays a key role in keeping cholesterol circulating in the system. This reduces the amount of LDL-C in the bloodstream.
According to the manufacturer, the subcutaneous injection can be used alone or in combination with statins. It can also be used for patients who are statin-intolerant.
It was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme earlier this year.
Medical professionals believe that these new classes of long-acting medicines will be welcomed by patients with high cholesterol.
There is some international debate about the targets for LDL cholesterol levels. The base line for patients is having their GP do a risk score. If it’s very high – for example someone who’s had a heart attack or stroke or angina – then some authorities argue the target should be less than 1.4 mmol/l. If high but the person has not had a cardiovascular event, then under 1.8 mmol/l is a commonly set target.
Further information
https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/articles/managing-hypercholesterolaemia.html#treatment-targets-for-ldl-c-concentration : Australian Prescriber
https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt8a393bb3b76c0ede/blt64cda689a04c618d/65960d4fbe5d26a4f565a12e/Cholesterol-Management-infographic_V-2.pdf : Heart Foundation
Key statistics – Risk factors for cardiovascular disease: Heart Foundation
Inclisiran (Leqvio®) details: TGA website
