Wonderful news for people with high cholesterol level; get ready to spend though. The FDA just recently approved the first among a new type of cholesterol lowering medicines. This new drug, called Praluent aims to assist patients with an inherited form of high cholesterol that has been difficult to treat.

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According to St. Louis Post Dispatch, this new type of cholesterol lowering medication is not to be swallowed, but to be injected. It will also be quite pricey. For most, it will cost $14,000 annually. It is labeled as monoclonal antibodies, a class of biotech drugs.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in Tarrytown, New York, invented this almost miraculous medicine. Steven Nissen, the chairman of cardiology of the Cleveland Clinic considers this a huge step in fighting off heart disease, especially the increased risk to having sudden heart attacks; common to those with high cholesterol levels.

Nissen further explains to Forbes that after the initial release of Praluent, this is most likely to be used widely, despite its hefty price tag. "Obviously, the class is one of the biggest developments in cardiology in the last decade, that will allow us to treat patients who have been extremely difficult to treat with high levels of LDL cholesterol. It's very promising," cites Nissen, during his interview.

NBC News stated that Praluent is approved for medication, along with having a better diet and some statin therapy. This new kind of treatment will be given to adult patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, and also to patients with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, that can be strokes or heart attacks. These patients require lowering of their LDL cholesterol count.

Meanwhile, another medicine manufactured by Amgen, will be also approved by the FDA. This medicine is said to be Praluent's future rival.

The FDA further stated that the multiple chinical tests have statin, though it is effective in lowering the risks of a possible stroke or heart attack, is no match for this new medicine. The most common side effects that Praluent will have on the body are swelling, bruising on the injected part, itching and some pain. Flu and nasopharyngitis are also some side-effects to watch out for, especially for patients with weaker respiratory systems. 

Tagscholesterol drugs, cholesterol treatments, cholesterol lowering drug, anti cholesterol medicine, FDA approves anti cholesterol drug