What Is Praluent? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Praluent (alirocumab) is an injectable prescription medication used to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. It was the first PCSK9 inhibitor to receive FDA approval, cleared in July 2015. Here's everything you need to know about Praluent in 2026.

What Is Praluent (Alirocumab)?

Praluent's generic name is alirocumab. It belongs to a class of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors — a group of injectable biologic medications that lower LDL cholesterol by a mechanism distinct from statins. Praluent is manufactured by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi. It is available only as a brand-name biologic; there is no generic or biosimilar version in the US as of 2026.

Praluent is a human monoclonal antibody — meaning it's a large protein made from living cells that is engineered to target a very specific molecule in the body. It works by blocking a liver enzyme called PCSK9, which normally destroys the receptors that remove LDL from the bloodstream.

What Is Praluent Approved to Treat?

The FDA has approved Praluent for the following indications:

Cardiovascular risk reduction: To reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization in adults with established cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)

Primary hyperlipidemia in adults: To reduce LDL-C as an adjunct to diet and other cholesterol-lowering therapies in adults with high cholesterol, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)

Pediatric HeFH: Praluent is also approved for children aged 8 and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

In the landmark ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial (N=18,924), alirocumab reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 15% compared to placebo in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome on maximally tolerated statin therapy. LDL-C levels dropped from an average of 101.4 mg/dL (placebo) to 53.3 mg/dL (alirocumab) — a 54.7% reduction.

How Is Praluent Taken?

Praluent is a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. It comes as a single-dose prefilled autoinjector pen in two strengths:

75 mg/mL pen

150 mg/mL pen

Dosing options for adults with high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease:

75 mg once every 2 weeks — starting dose; may be increased to 150 mg every 2 weeks if LDL-C response is inadequate

300 mg once every 4 weeks (monthly) — an alternative for patients who prefer less frequent dosing (given as two consecutive 150 mg injections at different sites)

Praluent is injected into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites each time to minimize injection site reactions. Allow the pen to warm to room temperature for 30–40 minutes before use.

Who Should NOT Take Praluent?

Praluent is contraindicated in people with:

A history of serious allergic reaction to alirocumab or any ingredient in Praluent (including histidine, polysorbate 20, and sucrose)

Use caution and discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding — the safety of Praluent in pregnancy is not established.

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How to Store Praluent

Refrigerate between 36°F–46°F (2°C–8°C) in the original carton, protected from light

Do not freeze, shake, or expose to heat or direct sunlight

May be kept at room temperature (up to 77°F/25°C) for up to 30 days if needed — discard if not used within 30 days

How to Get Praluent Filled

Praluent is distributed primarily through specialty pharmacies, not most retail locations. Prior authorization from your insurance is required. If you're having trouble locating a pharmacy with Praluent in stock, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check availability.

To understand how Praluent works at a biological level, read our plain-English explanation: How Does Praluent Work? Mechanism of Action Explained.