Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Leqembi
Lecanemab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting aggregated soluble amyloid-beta (Aβ) protofibrils for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is designed to bind and clear these protofibrils, which are thought to be a key driver in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Lecanemab is administered intravenously and belongs to the class of disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's.
Lecanemab is used to treat mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of Alzheimer's disease.
Lecanemab may cause serious side effects, including amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), such as brain swelling and bleeding. ARIA most commonly presents as temporary swelling in parts of the brain that usually resolves over time and may be accompanied by small hemorrhages in or on the surface of the brain. Symptoms of ARIA include headache, confusion, dizziness, vision changes, nausea, and seizures. Patients receiving anticoagulants are at increased risk of ARIA-H. Monitor for symptoms of ARIA and consider MRI prior to initiating lecanemab and during treatment, particularly in patients at higher risk for ARIA.
Outcome:
Increased risk of bleeding
Mechanism:
Additive anticoagulant effects
Outcome:
Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding
Mechanism:
Additive effects on platelet function
Outcome:
May decrease the effectiveness of lecanemab
Mechanism:
Unknown
Most likely new formulation: Subcutaneous injection (Year: 2025, 70% confidence)
Based on clinical trial data and FDA approval, Lecanemab is likely to remain a key treatment option for early Alzheimer's disease with a 90% likelihood of continued availability for at least the next 5 years.
Monoclonal Antibody, Disease-Modifying Therapy
Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1)