Elevated Lp(a) levels - does Repatha help?

Posted by klaudiaarnold @klaudiaarnold, Jul 16, 2025

Hi everyone,
After reading up on it myself, I found out there are hardly any medications available to lower highly elevated Lp(a)= levels. However, I came across Repatha and read that it might also help reduce Lp(a) levels. Is there any chance in significantly lowering an elevated Lp(a) level (above 50mg/dl) with Repatha?

• Has anyone had personal experience with Repatha to lower Lp(a)?
• And does anyone know a doctor who prescribes Repatha for lowering Lp(a)?

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge or experiences!

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Profile picture for rad1963 @rad1963

Hi,
My doctor prescribed Repatha due to very elevated Lp(a) and Apo B level. I tried statins years ago but couldn't tolerate them. I am concerned about the side effects, I have read flu like symptoms, headaches, bone pain could be some of the side effects so I have been hesitant on starting Repatha. Has anyone on Repatha experienced these side effects? and if so have they subsided at all after taking the medication a few times. Thanks for any info from anyone now taking Repatha.

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@rad1963
My husband also has an elevated lp(a). He did not tolerate most statins although zocor (simivastin) was okay. The others caused debilitating pain. Simivastin tends to have fewer side effects but is not as powerful at reducing lipids as some other statins.
He takes Repatha now. His LDL is below 55 and it reduced his lp(a) by one third. He has had no side effects whatsoever.

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Profile picture for christinecaron @christinecaron

Sounds like we are experiencing the same thing:( My LPa got tested last week and was 414. I'm terrified.

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@christinecaron There are lots of studies going on with Pelacarsen and other Lp(a) lowering drugs that you may be eligible for them. Repatha definitely helps lower Lp(a), but not enough. You can search "clinical trials" and the top search should be a .gov site for the trials available.

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Profile picture for joe1032 @joe1032

@christinecaron There are lots of studies going on with Pelacarsen and other Lp(a) lowering drugs that you may be eligible for them. Repatha definitely helps lower Lp(a), but not enough. You can search "clinical trials" and the top search should be a .gov site for the trials available.

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@joe1032 Thank you! I finally saw a cardiologist last week. After some.more testing he's going to see if I can get in to one of the trials. He said perhaps the first medication may be available in 1 to 2 years. Crossing my fingers!

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I’ve had a 56% reduction in Lp(a) over a 21 month period with Repatha. I do not take statins. I will share three results, tested in nanomoles/L :
6/20/24 First Repatha injection
8/30/24 Quest Lab: 208nm/L
10/22/24 MAYO : 189nm/L
5/28/26 ClevelandClinic 92nm/L
REMARKABLE!!

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Profile picture for christinecaron @christinecaron

@joe1032 Thank you! I finally saw a cardiologist last week. After some.more testing he's going to see if I can get in to one of the trials. He said perhaps the first medication may be available in 1 to 2 years. Crossing my fingers!

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@christinecaron
My Dr says 6 to 12 months. Lots of different estimates. In the meantime I’m relying on Repatha

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In reading comments about Lp(a), we should keep in mind that there is not a global standard on how lipoprotein(a) is measured. The National Lipid Association and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend measuring in nanomoles/liter. Mine has been measured 3 times in nM/L, including once each at Mayo and Cleveland Clinics. I reported the nanomole measures in an earlier comment, and purposely did not include my local testing in mg/dL since there is not a reliable conversion.

If you’re commenting it helps to include UNITS.
This comment from a former math and science teacher!

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Profile picture for nancy0130 @nancy0130

I’ve had a 56% reduction in Lp(a) over a 21 month period with Repatha. I do not take statins. I will share three results, tested in nanomoles/L :
6/20/24 First Repatha injection
8/30/24 Quest Lab: 208nm/L
10/22/24 MAYO : 189nm/L
5/28/26 ClevelandClinic 92nm/L
REMARKABLE!!

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@nancy0130 repatha didn't do much for my lp(@) at all but lowered LDL significantly

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Profile picture for 19281928 @19281928

@nancy0130 repatha didn't do much for my lp(@) at all but lowered LDL significantly

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@19281928 same here. I was 3 months off Repatha due to side effects and my Liprotein(a) went up from mid 200’s to mid 300’s.

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Guess I was lucky. Mine went from 320 to 179 after 3 months

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Profile picture for christinecaron @christinecaron

@joe1032 Thank you! I finally saw a cardiologist last week. After some.more testing he's going to see if I can get in to one of the trials. He said perhaps the first medication may be available in 1 to 2 years. Crossing my fingers!

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@christinecaron I wish the best for you!!! I'm sort of in the same position. By the way, Pelacarsen (Novartis) and Muvalaplin (Eli Lilly) are both available to take in clinical studies going on right now. If you pass the prescreening and fit the criteria for the studies, then there is a 50-50 chance you will receive the Lp(a) lowering drug. You do not need your doctor's consent and there are plenty of places (especially Florida) looking for people for these clinical trials. If Pelacarsen is proven safe & effective for lowering Lp(a), then it may be approved by the FDA by 2028. I think Muvalaplin may take a little longer.

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