No, Praluent isn’t a statin. Praluent is a type of drug known as a PCSK9 inhibitor. A statin is a type of drug called an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.
Praluent and statins work differently. Praluent works in the liver to help remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the blood. (LDL cholesterol is also known as “bad” cholesterol.) The drug does this by blocking the action of an enzyme known as PCSK9. An enzyme is a protein that aids chemical changes in your body.
Statins slow down how quickly the liver makes new cholesterol. They do this by blocking the action of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase.
Your doctor may prescribe Praluent in addition to a statin, especially if your high cholesterol has been hard to control. To learn more, see the “Use with other treatments” section below.
If you have questions about Praluent and statins, talk with your doctor.