These cholesterol drugs, called PCSK9 inhibitors, probably help lower bad cholesterol in many types of patients — more than fake pills or other cholesterol medicines.

Pro

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Community contributions welcome

Ldl-cholesterol reduction with PCSK9 inhibitors: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Human

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Ldl-cholesterol reduction with PCSK9 inhibitors: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Score: 20

DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.06.789

Similar Assertions

These cholesterol drugs work well for lots of different people, even if they're already taking other meds for high cholesterol.

92%

PCSK9 inhibitors can help lower bad cholesterol, either when added to other treatments or used instead of them.

90%

Some cholesterol drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors also lower another harmful fat in the blood called lipoprotein(a), and that might help protect the heart in ways that aren't just about lowering bad cholesterol.

88%

Some cholesterol-lowering drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors can lower a specific type of blood fat linked to heart disease, and that might help protect people with high levels, but scientists aren't sure exactly how it works yet.

85%

Adding PCSK9 drugs to cholesterol-lowering statins can slash bad cholesterol by as much as 81% in people with high cholesterol.

83%