Lecanemab's Real-World Effects Indicate Rarity of Side Effects
Fuck yeah, let's dive into the deets about that Alzheimer's medication, lecanemab! This shit was approved by the U.S. FDA to treat Alzheimer's in 2023, yep, you read that right, a new year of hope for those battling the goddamn disease.
Like all medications, lecanemab can come with some side effects, but don't freak out just yet. They’re mostly nothing to write home about, think headaches, dizziness, muscle aches, and blurred vision. The serious stuff? We've got amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA)—yep, that’s brain swelling or bleeding.
In the Clarity AD phase 3 clinical trial back in 2022, only a small percentage of participants experienced ARIA—0.8% for ARIA-E (edema/effusion) and 0.7% for ARIA-H (hemorrhage/hemosiderin deposition). And guess what? A new study recently confirmed those findings by reporting that significant adverse events like ARIA were rare and manageable for people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease.
What's lecanemab, you ask? It's basically an antibody that your immune system normally whips up but this one's designed to recognize specific types of amyloid proteins and gets all up in their grill. This shit ain't the only problem in Alzheimer's, but it might be one of the first steps in the disease process that leads to memory loss and dementia.
So, how did this lecanemab fare in a small clinical trial? Well, that 18-month treat received about 25-30% less decline in memory and thinking than those who didn't get the meds. Imaging studies showed the lecanemab also reduced and sometimes cleared the amyloid plaques in the brain.
But what about in the real world? In a recent study, researchers recruited 234 people with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. What they found was that 1.8% of participants at the earliest stage of Alzheimer's experienced ARIA symptoms. That figure jumps up to 27% for those with mild Alzheimer's disease.
"This finding emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis," said Barbara Joy Snider, MD, PhD, a professor of neurology at WashU Medicine. "The clinical trial results showed that people with very mild symptoms likely benefit more from medications like lecanemab, so people with very mild symptoms have more benefit and fewer side effects. This is also when it's hardest to be sure someone has Alzheimer's disease, so it's very important that we continue to work to improve access to diagnosis for people with very mild symptoms."
The best part? Researchers found that the effects of ARIA mostly disappeared within a few months, and no patients died from it. Snider called it "very reassuring" and told us it's clear that these drugs can be used safely in a "real-world" clinic population.
So, there you have it! Lecanemab is a promising medication that offers hope for those with Alzheimer's disease. As always, remember to discuss your options with your healthcare provider, weigh the benefits against the potential side effects, and embrace that shitty hand dealt by life with a giant middle finger. Keep pushing through, you got this! FUCK ALZHEIMER'S!
- The U.S. FDA approved lecanemab, a new medication for Alzheimer's, in 2023, marking a new year of hope for seniors battling the disease.
- Side effects of lecanemab can include headaches, dizziness, muscle aches, and blurred vision, while serious issues like amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) - brain swelling or bleeding - are rare.
- In the Clarity AD phase 3 clinical trial, only a small percentage of participants experienced ARIA, making adverse events manageable for people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease.
- Lecanemab is an antibody designed to recognize specific types of amyloid proteins and potentially slow down the memory loss and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
- In a recent study involving 234 participants with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, most ARIA side effects disappeared within a few months, and no patients died from them, confirming that lecanemab can be used safely in a real-world clinic population.
