FDA approves new Alzheimer’s drug, offering hope for slower cognitive decline – CBC

Eli Lilly’s donanemab slows cognitive decline by a matter of months

Jul 02, 2024

U.S. officials have approved another Alzheimer’s drug that can modestly slow the disease, providing a new option for patients in the early stages of the incurable, memory-destroying ailment.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly’s Kisunla on Tuesday for mild or early cases of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s. It’s only the second drug that’s been convincingly shown to delay cognitive decline in patients, following last year’s approval of a similar drug from Japanese drugmaker Eisai.

The delay seen with both drugs amounts to a matter of months — about seven months, in the case of Lilly’s drug.

Patients and their families will have to weigh that benefit against the downsides, including regular IV infusions and potentially dangerous side-effects such as brain swelling.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/donanemab-fda-1.7226978

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