Taking leqvio

Here’s a clear, straightforward explanation from a medical perspective about *Leqvio* and how it should be administered.

Short answer:
Skipping the initial 3-month loading dose of Leqvio (inclisiran) is not ideal and not how the medication is designed to work, but it isn’t typically dangerous. The issue is that you may not get the full LDL-lowering effect without the loading dose.

How Leqvio Normally Works:

Leqvio’s recommended schedule is:

Dose #1.

Dose #2 at 3 months.

Then every 6 months.

That 3-month “loading dose” helps quickly bring your LDL down and stabilize the drug’s effect. After that, the twice-yearly schedule maintains it.

What happens if you skip the 3-month dose?

The medication will still work, but more slowly.

Your LDL level may not drop as much as intended.

It’s not harmful to your body to skip it—just less effective for cholesterol control.

The loading dose is recommended by all guidelines and the FDA, so skipping it is off-label.

Why your doctor may be suggesting this:

Sometimes clinics propose this if:

You’re moving and will not be able to return for the 3-month shot.

They want to avoid gaps in treatment once you’ve relocated.

It’s a practical workaround, but not the most effective medical approach.

What you can ask your doctor*

To make the best decision, you might ask:

“Is there a way to schedule the 3-month dose at my new location?”

“If I skip the loading dose, how much less LDL reduction should I expect?”

“Can you coordinate with another clinic so I follow the standard schedule?”

Bottom line:

Not dangerous, but not the recommended dosing.

Best: follow the standard 0-month → 3-month → every 6 months schedule.

Acceptable alternative only if logistics absolutely prevent the loading dose.

Welcome to Connect, @kyndaj2568. I assume you are concerned that getting Leqvio (Inclisiran) on a different schedule than recommended may be harmful, not asking about the drug itself.

Here is a link to the drug company’s locator page where you can type in a location and find a center to get your injection. To me, that makes more sense than taking it on your own schedule. https://leqvio-locator.com/

Is there a reason other than finding a place to get the shot that concerns your doctor?

There’s not enough information provided to give you a good answer. What is moving have to do with injections? The short answer is there’s no damage by postponing the injection over the long haul. However if you have the option to take it as it’s prescribed, that’s what I would fight for. I take it and there’s absolutely no side effects. In fact it clears my sinuses when I go in for the injection and I don’t have a clue why it hasn’t done anything over a couple years to lower my LPa number.

I took the first injection 3 months ago, not realizing it was a mRNA type injection. After 3 months, I still have a big read itchy patch where I got the injection. I also have had muscle and joint stiffness and pain, weakness, discomfort pain under tight ribs, leg/feet cramps, hoarse voice, oily hair, I started having osteoarthritis in my fingers, and I’m very weak tired.
The nurses said to not take 2nd shot until I see the doctor in January. I’m concerned that I’m having mRNA side effects of autoimmune disease, like with the mRNA Covid shots.
Is this possible?

1. Leqvio (inclisiran) is not an mRNA.

*This is extremely important.* Inclisiran does not use mRNA technology, and it does not work like the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

What it actually is:

Inclisiran is a *siRNA* (small interfering RNA) drug.

It does not enter the nucleus, does not alter DNA, and does not cause the immune response patterns seen with mRNA vaccines.

Its mechanism is gene silencing of PCSK9 in the liver only, which reduces LDL.

So the concerns about persistent mRNA side effects or “autoimmune reactions like COVID vaccines” do not apply to inclisiran.

2. Can inclisiran cause long-lasting side effects?

Most inclisiran side effects are mild and limited to the injection site.

Common ones:

Redness.

Itching.

Swelling.

These usually resolve within hours to a few days, rarely weeks.
Months of redness/itchiness at the injection site is unusual, and your nurse was right to pause the second dose until examined.

3. What about the other symptoms?

The symptoms you listed are not typical side effects of inclisiran:

Muscle/joint stiffness or pain.

Weakness.

Rib discomfort.

Leg/foot cramps.

Hoarse voice.

Oily hair.

New osteoarthritis.

Severe fatigue.

These are not known side effects from inclisiran in clinical trials or post-marketing safety monitoring.

In particular:

Autoimmune-type reactions have not been associated with inclisiran.

Systemic inflammation or multi-system symptoms have not been reported with inclisiran in the way some people reported after COVID vaccines.

So the pattern you’re describing does not match inclisiran’s known safety profile.

4. What is possible?

Several possibilities worth discussing with your doctor:

A. Delayed or exaggerated local hypersensitivity (likely for the red itchy patch).

Some people develop:

Prolonged redness.

Local inflammatory reactions.

Injection-site dermatitis.

This can last weeks, occasionally longer.

B. Coincidental illness*

Things like:

Viral infections.

Thyroid issues

Vitamin deficiencies (B12, D, magnesium).

Autoimmune conditions unrelated to the drug.

Perimenopause/menopause.

Stress-related disorders.

These can all cause exactly the systemic symptoms you listed.

C. Statin intolerance (if you’re also on a statin)*

Statins can cause muscle pains, weakness, fatigue, and cramps. If inclisiran was started at the same visit as a statin adjustment, people often misattribute the symptoms.

D. A separate rheumatologic issue:

New osteoarthritis or joint problems and fatigue have nothing to do with inclisiran.

5. Is inclisiran known to trigger autoimmune disease?

No.
There is no evidence in trials or pharmacovigilance data that inclisiran causes:

Autoimmune disease.

Systemic inflammatory responses.

Autoimmune flares.

Chronic fatigue-type syndromes.

*This is very different from the rare autoimmune reactions reported after COVID mRNA vaccination.*

6. Is it good that they told you to delay the second dose?

Yes. That’s the correct and cautious approach.

Before your next injection, your doctor should:

Examine the injection site.

Review blood work (CBC, inflammation markers, liver function, thyroid, B12, vitamin D, CK, etc.).

Consider whether the symptoms align with another diagnosis.

Decide if continuing inclisiran is safe.

Most doctors would delay the next dose in this situation.

7. Should you be worried about permanent damage?

Inclisiran does not:*

Alter DNA.

Persist long-term, the way mRNA may in lymph nodes.

Trigger autoimmunity.

Your symptoms are concerning and deserve evaluation, but they do not fit inclisiran’s known risks or mechanism of action.

I hope this gives you a better perspective on this subject.