What is the Treatment for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia and its Cost?

Effective Treatment Options and Medication Costs for HoFH Patients

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia or HoFH is characterised as an inherited disorder. It involves disturbances in lipid metabolism and is related to higher levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein).

There are treatment medications available for the treatment of HoFH. The costs of such medications vary based on several factors, including manufacturing costs and the quantity of drugs prescribed by the healthcare provider.

Treatment Options of Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia

Every patient with HoFH needs to consult a lipid specialist for advanced management of the condition. The primary goal of HoFH treatment is to decrease mortality. It also prevents or limits the progression of ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease). Here are a few popular medications that get prescribed for treating HoFH:

• Statin : Statins are prescription drugs that help reduce high cholesterol levels to normal levels. Some statins can decrease levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) by 50%. For instance, in patients with HoFH, rosuvastatin is effective in reducing LDL-C.
• PCSK9 Inhibitors : There are studies which show a correlation between high levels of PCSK9 and higher cholesterol levels. Your provider may prescribe PCSK9 inhibitors along with statin drugs or by themselves to lower levels of cholesterol.
• Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor : Ezetimibe is a popular cholesterol absorption inhibitor, which is a once-daily medication that works by blocking the cholesterol transport protein called Niemann-Pick C1-like protein. A blockage of this protein in the liver causes a reduction in LDL-C in the liver.
• ANGPTL3 Inhibitor : Evinacumab-dumb is a fully human monoclonal antibody that is administered every 4 weeks. ANGPTL3 inhibitor limits endothelial lipase and lipoprotein, which increases the levels of other lipids and triglycerides.

Cost of Medications for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in India

Here is an overview of Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia medication costs:

Disclaimer: The prices listed in the table above have been taken from third-party sources and may vary in real time.

Other Treatment Options for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia

Apart from pharmacological methods, there are also other ways of treating HoFH. Here are a few of such methods:

1.  Liver Transplantation

The majority of LDL-R, about 70%, is present in the liver. LDL-R is a low-density lipoprotein receptor, and it plays a big role in cholesterol metabolism. Hence, liver transplantation (LT) is a therapeutic option for patients with HoFH as the dysfunctional receptors then get replaced with the normal ones from the donor.

2. Low-Density Lipoprotein-Apheresis

Lipoprotein-apheresis is also an effective therapeutic procedure for treating HoFH. It is the ideal option for treatment for both children and adults who have severe cases that do not respond to medications. The ideal age for starting Lipoprotein-Apheresis (LA) is before the involvement of the aorta begins. This procedure is performed on affected individuals every week.

HoFH can lead to the rapid development of ASCVD and other premature heart-related events. Hence, it is necessary to consult a specialist promptly to get it checked for optimal health outcomes.