Two medicines, side by side
Alirocumab vs carboxymethylcellulose
Alirocumab is labeled for angina, heart attack and coronary artery disease and high cholesterol; carboxymethylcellulose has no indication this site maps. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Pharmacies paid $258.01 per mL (Praluent 150 mg/mL pen) and $0.267 per unit (Carboxymethylcell 0.5% eye drp) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the alirocumab FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 16, 2026); the carboxymethylcellulose FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 30, 2022).
Highlights of the alirocumab record
Alirocumab (Praluent) · label of July 16, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsPRALUENT ® is indicated: To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization) in adults at increased risk for these events. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 24, 2015
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $258.01 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the carboxymethylcellulose record
Carboxymethylcellulose · label of June 30, 2022
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor the temporary relief of burning, irritation, and discomfort due to dryness of the eye or exposure to wind or sun. May be used as a protectant against further irritation.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.267 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Alirocumab label of July 16, 2026, Carboxymethylcellulose label of June 30, 2022); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do alirocumab and carboxymethylcellulose differ on the record?
| Alirocumab | Carboxymethylcellulose | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High cholesterol | n/a |
| Pharmacologic class | PCSK9 Inhibitor | n/a |
| How it works (label) | Alirocumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9). | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, the median apparent half-life of alirocumab at steady state was 17 to 20 days in patients receiving alirocumab at subcutaneous doses of 75 mg every 2 weeks or 150 mg every … | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 24, 2015 | n/a |
| First generic approved | none | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $258.01 per mL (Praluent 150 mg/mL pen) | $0.267 per unit (Carboxymethylcell 0.5% eye drp) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | -30% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 24,935 | 10,401 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to alirocumab
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions