Frequently Asked Questions
About Bad Cholesterol
Information about bad cholesterol (LDL-C) and lifestyle changes
While high bad cholesterol can be inherited, it's also often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, which may make it preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and sometimes medication can help reduce high cholesterol.
It depends. A heart-healthy diet and regular exercise should be part of any bad-cholesterol—lowering regimen in addition to other healthy lifestyle choices.
Medications like LEQVIO can also help, if you and your doctor determine that LEQVIO is right for you.
While there is a spectrum, the optimal bad cholesterol number for people with established heart disease is less than 70 mg/dL, and it may be reasonable to target below 55 mg/dL for some people, while the optimal number for people at high risk of developing heart disease is less than 100 mg/dL. Check with your doctor to see what an appropriate bad cholesterol number is for you.
Heart-healthy eating habits include reducing intake of saturated fat and trans-fat. Reducing these fats means limiting consumption of red meat and dairy products made with whole milk. A heart-healthy diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, nuts, and nontropical vegetable oils. Talk with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
Physical activity is integral to good health. It is recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week to gain substantial health benefits. Your doctor can help you create an exercise routine that works best for you.
Understanding LEQVIO
Information about treatment and dosing
No, LEQVIO is not a statin. LEQVIO is an injectable prescription medication for use with diet and exercise, to reduce bad cholesterol.
No, LEQVIO is the only bad-cholesterol–lowering medication that's injected by your doctor or other health care provider every 6 months after 2 initial doses. You don’t need to worry about injecting LEQVIO yourself.
If you miss your dose by less than 3 months, your LEQVIO dose can be administered to you and you can continue following your original dosing schedule. If you miss your dose by more than 3 months, you'll need to restart with a new dosing schedule. It will need to be administered initially, again at 3 months, and then every 6 months. Your doctor will decide how to administer the medication.
Serious allergic reactions can occur. Seek medical help right away if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; dizziness and feel faint; decrease in blood pressure; severe skin itching, with a red rash or raised bumps.
The most common side effect of LEQVIO is injection site reaction (including pain, redness, and rash), which occurred in 8% of adults taking LEQVIO vs 2% with placebo. Other side effects adults reported with LEQVIO included joint pain (5% vs 4% with placebo) and chest cold (4% vs 3% with placebo).
With a healthy diet and exercise, LEQVIO works with the natural process of the liver to help lower bad cholesterol. LEQVIO is expected to leave your bloodstream within 48 hours of receiving your dose. However, it continues to work with your liver’s natural process to lower your bad cholesterol.*
*In a study where 31 adults were given a single dose of LEQVIO each, levels of LEQVIO could not be detected in blood after 48 hours.
LEQVIO Support
Information about support, coverage, and the LEQVIO® Co-pay Program
After prescribing LEQVIO, your doctor can contact the LEQVIO® Service Center, at 1-833-LEQVIO2 (1-833-537-8462), to verify your benefits with a few short steps.
If you have commercial insurance and it doesn’t cover the full cost of LEQVIO, you can enroll in the LEQVIO Co-pay Program, where you may pay as little as $0.†
The time between receiving a LEQVIO prescription and getting your injection can vary. Once your doctor contacts your insurance company, you can return to your doctor’s office to get your injection. It's important to note that your doctor may refer you to a nearby health care office called an alternate site of care (ASOC) to receive your LEQVIO injection.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and have limited or no prescription coverage, you may be eligible to receive assistance through the Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation (NPAF), an independent charitable organization. The LEQVIO Service Center, at 1-833-LEQVIO2 (1-833-537-8462), can help refer you to NPAF to check your eligibility.
Yes, LEQVIO is a medication that is administered by a doctor or other health care provider, so it is covered under traditional Medicare, also called Part B. Most people who receive traditional Medicare benefits and have supplemental insurance may pay as little as $0.‡
Other Medicare recipients may be enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, which are managed by health insurance plans. While LEQVIO may likely be covered under the medical benefit, there may be situations where LEQVIO may be covered under the pharmacy benefit. The LEQVIO Service Center can assist you in understanding your insurance coverage.
Yes, LEQVIO is covered in all states under Medicaid. On average, Medicaid patients pay less than $10 for their prescription drugs. Each state sets the parameters of their Medicaid program, including patient eligibility and cost shares. To learn more about Medicaid in your state, please visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/state-overviews/index.html
Yes, most patients with commercial insurance through an employer or purchased individually (eg, PPO, HMO) are eligible for our LEQVIO Co-pay Program and may pay as little as $0.§ Those with government-funded health care programs are not eligible.
Yes. The first step is to sign up for the LEQVIO Co-pay Program by visiting start.LEQVIO.com or calling us at 1-833-LEQVIO2 (1-833-537-8462).
If you enroll in the LEQVIO® Care Program, you will have access to a dedicated LEQVIO® Care Specialist, who can provide you with personalized support, including medication reminders, healthy living tips, and tools.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and have limited or no prescription coverage, you may be eligible to receive assistance through the Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation (NPAF), an independent charitable organization. The LEQVIO Service Center, at 1-833-LEQVIO2 (1-833-537-8462), can help refer you to NPAF to check your eligibility.
Discuss LEQVIO and LDL-C management with your doctor
‡Data on file. LEQVIO Coverage and Affordability. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2024.
§Limitations apply. The LEQVIO Co-pay Program may include the LEQVIO Co-pay Card, Payment Card (if applicable), and Rebate. Per-treatment maximums and an annual benefit cap apply. Offer not valid under Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA, DoD, or any other federal or state program. Novartis reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend this Program without notice. See complete Terms & Conditions.
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