If you have certain kinds of high cholesterol, your doctor might suggest Leqvio as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (known as “bad” cholesterol) in adults with the following conditions:

Your doctor will likely also prescribe a statin drug and recommend a balanced diet during your treatment with Leqvio.

The active ingredient in Leqvio is inclisiran. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Leqvio is a liquid solution that comes in a prefilled syringe. It’s given as an injection under your skin by a healthcare professional.

This article describes the dosage of Leqvio, its strength, and how you’ll receive it. To learn more about Leqvio, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Leqvio’s usual dosage, which is provided by the drugmaker. But your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Leqvio in 2021. It’s a kind of drug called a small interfering RNA (siRNA), and it was the first siRNA drug approved to reduce LDL cholesterol. It works by causing your liver cells to absorb LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream.

This section contains information about the usual dosage of Leqvio.

Note: This chart highlights the basics of Leqvio’s dosage, measured in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL). Be sure to read on for more detail.

Leqvio is a liquid solution that comes in a single-dose prefilled syringe. It’s given as an injection under your skin by a healthcare professional.

Leqvio comes in one strength of 284 mg per 1.5 mL of liquid solution.

The information below describes the dosage most commonly used or recommended. But your doctor will prescribe the right amount to fit your needs.

The recommended dose of Leqvio for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is 284 mg injected once. You’ll receive a second Leqvio dose 3 months later, then every 6 months after that.

The recommended dose of Leqvio for heart disease related to high LDL cholesterol is 284 mg injected once. You’ll receive a second Leqvio dose 3 months later, then every 6 months after that.

Yes, Leqvio is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Leqvio’s dosage.

No, Leqvio is not dosed by weight. The recommended dose is 284 milligrams (mg) for everyone, regardless of their weight.

No, Leqvio has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children. To learn more about treatment options for children with high cholesterol, talk with their doctor.

Leqvio comes in a single-dose, prefilled syringe. A healthcare professional will administer it to you in their office. They’ll inject it under the skin of your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh.

If you miss an appointment for your dose of Leqvio, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule.

If you missed a dose of Leqvio and it’s been less than 3 months since that dose was scheduled, a healthcare professional will likely give you a dose right away. Then you can continue your dosing schedule of every 6 months as originally planned (there will be no change to your next scheduled dose).

If you missed a dose of Leqvio and it’s been more than 3 months since that dose was scheduled, a healthcare professional will likely restart your dosing schedule. This means you would get a dose as soon as possible, 3 months later, then every 6 months after that.

If you need help remembering your appointment for your dose of Leqvio, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

The sections above describe the usual dosage of Leqvio provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with them if you have questions or concerns about your dosage. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Last medically reviewed on August 29, 2022

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