By Natalia Rueda 
Yesterday, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of a drug, Leqembi, to slow down the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease for the first time. Leqembi was developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai and was granted an accelerated approval by the FDA last January.
Lecanemab, the drug’s trade name, has demonstrated to be effective in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative disease that affects 6.5 million people in the United States alone. It is administered intravenously. Results from a 1,800 patient clinical trial showed a significant reduction in cognitive decline.
While the drug has been found to reduce symptoms, it is not without risks. Possible side effects include headache and even ARIA, a condition that occurs in some Alzheimer’s patients that can cause inflammation and bleeding in the brain. In addition, Medicare presently does not foot the bill for the drug, leaving those to pay the steep &26,500 annual cost out of pocket. The FDA recommends against using the drug in patients who take anticoagulant medication, as it increases the risk of brain haemorrhages. Leqembi should also be used in patients with mild cognitive impairment and in early stages of Alzheimer’s.
As the first drug to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, Leqembi is a major breakthrough. This is the first step in fighting the disease and current efforts to find a cure are ongoing. While this drug offers help to those with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to keep in mind that caution must be taken and one should always talk to their doctor before using any new medication.