Lecanemab

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

What is Lecanemab?[edit | edit source]

  • Lecanemab (Leqembi) is a recombinant humanized immunoglobulin gamma 1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody directed against aggregated soluble and insoluble forms of amyloid beta, and is expressed in a Chinese hamster ovary cell line.

What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Lecanemab (Leqembi) is a prescription medicine used to treat people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Limitations of use:

  • Treatment with Leqembi should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease.
  • There are no safety or effectiveness data on initiating treatment at earlier or later stages of the disease than were studied.

How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]

  • Lecanemab-irmb is a humanized immunoglobulin gamma 1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody directed against aggregated soluble and insoluble forms of amyloid beta.
  • The accumulation of amyloid beta plaques in the brain is a defining pathophysiological feature of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Leqembi reduces amyloid beta plaques.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?[edit | edit source]

  • This medicine have no usage limitations.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?[edit | edit source]

  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Is this medicine FDA approved?[edit | edit source]

  • Lecanemab was approved for medical use in the United States in January 2023.

How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]

  • Confirm the presence of amyloid beta pathology prior to initiating treatment.
  • Obtain a recent (within one year) brain MRI prior to initiating treatment to evaluate for pre-existing Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA).

Recommended dosage:

  • The recommended dosage of Leqembi is 10 mg/kg that must be diluted then administered as an intravenous infusion over approximately one hour, once every two weeks.
  • Obtain an MRI prior to the 5th, 7th, and 14th infusions.
  • If radiographically observed ARIA occurs, treatment recommendations are based on type, severity, and presence of symptoms.

Administration:

  • Leqembi is given by a healthcare provider through a needle placed in your vein (intravenous (IV) infusion) in your arm.
  • Leqembi is given every 2 weeks. Each infusion will last about 1 hour.
  • If you miss an infusion of Leqembi, you should receive your next dose as soon as possible.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form: As Injection:

  • 500 mg/5 mL (100 mg/mL) solution in a single-dose vial
  • 200 mg/2 mL (100 mg/mL) solution in a single-dose vial

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

  • Leqembi

What side effects can this medication cause?[edit | edit source]

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

  • infusion-related reactions
  • headache
  • swelling in areas of the brain, with or without small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain (ARIA)

Less common, but serious side effects may include:

What special precautions should I follow?[edit | edit source]

  • Monoclonal antibodies directed against aggregated forms of beta amyloid, including Leqembi, can cause amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). Inform patients that Leqembi may cause Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities or “ARIA”.
  • Advise patients of the potential risk of infusion-related reactions, which can include flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, and changes in blood pressure, the majority of which occur with the first infusion.
  • Advise patients that the Alzheimer’s Network for Treatment and Diagnostics (ALZ-NET) is a voluntary provider-enrolled patient registry that collects information on treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, including Leqembi. Encourage patients to participate in the ALZ-NET registry.
  • It is not known if lecanemab-irmb passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while receiving Leqembi.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?[edit | edit source]

  • In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.
  • Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
  • In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.
  • In the event of overdose, general supportive measures should be instituted as necessary.
  • Monitor the patient for adverse reactions.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?[edit | edit source]

  • It is not known if Leqembi will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with Leqembi.

Can this medicine be used in children?[edit | edit source]

  • Safety and effectiveness of Leqembi in pediatric patients have not been established.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?[edit | edit source]

  • Active ingredient: lecanemab-irmb.
  • Inactive ingredients: arginine hydrochloride, histidine, histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, polysorbate 80, and water for injection.

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Manufactured by:

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]

Unopened Vial:

  • Store in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
  • Store in the original carton to protect from light.
  • Do not freeze or shake.

Diluted Solution:

  • After dilution, immediate use is recommended.
  • If not administered immediately, store Leqembi refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 4 hours, or at room temperature up to 30°C (86°F) for up to 4 hours.
  • Do not freeze.
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