Many friends asked Huazi if the “lipid-lowering needle” mentioned in the previous popular science has been reduced in price? Hua Zi said that “lipid-lowering injections” refers to PCSK9 inhibitors, which are a class of drugs with strong cholesterol-lowering effects, which need to be administered by subcutaneous injection, so they are called “lipid-lowering injections”. Lipid-lowering needles”.
Many people are unable to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to the target value with statins, even with the addition of cholesterol absorption inhibitors, which require combined use of PCSK9 inhibitors , for intensive lipid-lowering therapy.
I. What is a PCSK9 inhibitor
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) produced in the human body can bind to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) on liver cells and then be broken down. PCSK9, on the other hand, reduces LDL-R activity on hepatocytes, reducing the breakdown of LDL, which in turn leads to an increase in LDL-C levels.
PCSK9 inhibitors can inhibit PCSK9, thereby enhancing the activity of LDL-R, so that more LDL can bind to LDL-R for hydrolysis, Lower LDL-C levels.
According to the data obtained from clinical trials, PCSK9 inhibitors can reduce LDL-C levels by 60%~70%, and also have significant effects on lipoprotein (a) It has lowering effect and few adverse reactions, so it is very suitable for lipid-lowering therapy.
Second, what does it mean when the medicine enters the medical insurance
However, most people are unfamiliar with PCSK9 inhibitors, and their clinical application is less, the main reason is the high price. The monthly treatment cost is as high as 3 to 4 thousand yuan, which is not in line with the national conditions of our country and cannot be widely promoted.
But in December 2021, PCSK9 inhibitors entered the National Medical Insurance Catalog, and after centralized procurement, drug prices dropped by more than 70%< /strong>. The “high-priced medicine” that ordinary people could not afford to use is now affordable.
Every drug entered into medical insurance is basically a drug that is in great demand by patients and has great benefits to the overall health of the people. The inclusion of PCSK9 in medical insurance also shows from the side that the country believes that strengthening blood lipid control is very important, which can greatly improve the health of the people.
Third, PCSK9 inhibitors cannot replace statins
Someone has asked Huazi, if he uses “lipid-lowering injection”, can he replace statins? Hua Zi replied that he could not replace it. Statins are traditional cholesterol-lowering drugs, but In addition to controlling cholesterol, statins can also improve arterial intima metabolism, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, increase plaque stability, and prevent plaque rupture strong>.
Long-term use of statins can have the effect of reversing plaque. Although PCSK9 inhibitors can significantly reduce cholesterol, they cannot replace the effect of statins in reversing plaques. Therefore, PCSK9 inhibitors are now only used as supplementary therapy when statins are ineffective. Can be used in combination with statins, but not recommended alone.
Four, “Three Steps” to Control High Cholesterol
People who are found to have elevated LDL-C levels are typically divided into a “three-step” approach to lipid-lowering therapy.
The first step is to use statins for treatment, which can reduce LDL-C levels by 40% to 50%. For patients with “three high” chronic diseases, the LDL-C level should be controlled below 2.6mmol/L; those with cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, and coronary heart disease should be controlled below 1.8mmol/L; LDL-C level was controlled below 1.4mmol/L.
The second step, such asIf the effect of statins alone is not good, In order to reduce the probability of adverse reactions, it is not recommended to use high-dose statins, but to use low- and medium-dose statins, combined with cholesterol absorption inhibition agents in combination. On the basis of statins, LDL-C levels can be reduced by 20% to 30%.
The third step, after using a statin and a cholesterol absorption inhibitor at the same time, if the LDL-C level still cannot be controlled, use The combination of statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, or the combination of the three, can reduce LDL-C levels by 60%-70% on the original basis.
To sum up, the “lipid-lowering injection” PCSK9 inhibitor is a new type of powerful lipid-lowering drug. After entering the medical insurance, the price has been greatly reduced, making it affordable for ordinary people. It shows that the state believes that strengthening the control of blood lipids can greatly improve the health of the people. The use of the drug needs to be carried out under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any doubts about the use of the drug, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. I am Huazi, a pharmacist. Welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.