Statins are a group of medications prescribed to treat high cholesterol, which Praluent is also prescribed to treat. Like Praluent, some statins are also prescribed to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease.
Praluent and statins can cause some of the same side effects. These include common cold symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle pain. Some statins can also cause joint pain, which wasn’t reported in studies of Praluent.
A major difference between Praluent and statins is how the drugs are given. Praluent comes as a liquid solution that you inject under your skin every 2 or 4 weeks. Statins come as tablets or capsules that you swallow, and most are taken daily.
If you’d like to learn more about how Praluent and statins compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.