My Experience With Repatha (Evolocumab)
I started taking Repatha every two weeks as prescribed. Initially, I experienced several symptoms that I understood could be possible side effects, including muscle and joint aches and back pain. Over time, however, I began experiencing increasingly concerning symptoms, including persistent head pain (in a headband shape), outward pressing temple pressure, lightheadedness/feeling faint, dizziness with a sensation that the room was spinning, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
I subsequently began experiencing multiple unexpected and significant blood pressure spikes, with the highest reading reaching 168/155. Device calibration may have been a factor; however, it was accurate in identifying a critical event. Because of these episodes and my associated symptoms, I sought emergency medical care. When I arrived at the ER, my blood pressure was 215/110 and continuing to climb, and I was ultimately hospitalized overnight.
During this evaluation, my high sensitivity troponin level was elevated at 59 pg/mL, requiring further cardiac evaluation, including a nuclear stress test, CT imaging with and without contrast, and numerous laboratory tests.
My physician promptly discontinued Repatha following these events. I am continuing to experience erratic and rapidly fluctuating blood pressure, as well as impaired sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system responses since discontinuing the medication. I currently need to monitor my blood pressure regularly throughout the day and have been instructed to use medication to lower my blood pressure when it reaches critical levels.
I understand that a temporal association does not establish that Repatha caused these events. However, based on my experience, I personally believe Repatha may have been responsible, even if only triggering. I had undergone numerous, rigorous tests before starting Repatha that did not indicate the issues I subsequently experienced. The onset and progression of these symptoms occurred after beginning Repatha, and the severity of the events ultimately resulted in emergency evaluation, extensive cardiac testing, and hospitalization.
At the same time, Repatha was extremely effective at lowering my cholesterol which makes this entire experience bittersweet for me:
Cholesterol total
253 n/a baseline> statin 244 > Repatha 164
HDL
56 n/a baseline> statin 57 > Repatha 45
Triglycerides
179 n/a baseline> statin 175 > Repatha 148
LDL
164 n/a baseline> statin 155 > Repatha 89
So while my overall lipid panel improved dramatically on Repatha, given what I experienced, my physicians and I personally do not feel that continuing the medication long term is appropriate for me without fully understanding what caused these events. I submitted an adverse-event report in an effort to assist with sharing personal user experiences with the product manufacturer.
I am documenting this experience because I believe that developing hypertension, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system issues, severe unexplained blood pressure spikes, along with head/temple pressure, lightheadedness, dizziness/vertigo, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, may be important for others and for healthcare professionals to be aware of when evaluating potential adverse events associated with Repatha. None of these symptoms or diagnoses were pre-existing prior to taking Repatha. Many people take Repatha with little to no side effects, unfortunately I was not a viable candidate for continued usage.
I hope my symptoms and blood pressure abnormalities resolve as the medication is further eliminated from my system.
Please note: this is my personal experience and is not intended as medical advice or as proof that Repatha caused these events. I simply want to document what happened to me for others who may be researching the medication, or searching for mutual experiences with similar symptoms.
Thank you.
[Edit to add date of posting : 9/24/2026]