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How to Choose Between Kisunla vs. Leqembi, The New Alzheimer’s Drugs

Leqembi and Kisunla
The newest Alzheimer's drugs, Kisunla and Leqembi, are the first to actually slow down Alzheimer's. How do they compare to each other? (Video+Article)
 As of Oct 21, 2024
Kisunla (Donanemab)
Kisunla
(Donanemab)
Leqembi (Lecanemab)
Leqembi
(Lecanemab)
Drug Class
Kisunla binds to plaque
AFTER fibers clumped
together as large plaques.
Lecanemab targets
amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque
EARLIER on, as it forms fibers.
Approval
July 2, 2024
July 2023
Infusions
1 / month
2 / month
If scans show substantial
clearing of brain
Often OK to stop treatment
after 6 – 18 months
Continue treatment anyway
Cost
$32,000 / year
$26,000 / year
At 18 months,
improved cognitive decline
35%
30%
More Convenient Injectable Version
No
Expected mid-2025
Official # of Patients Treated
0
3,000
Cost to patient with Medicare
Part B, besides non-drug costs)
About 20%
(Around $6,400 / year)
About 20%
($5,300 /year)
Approved In
USA (Jul 2024), Japan (Sep 2024)
USA, Japan, China, South Korea, Israel, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, England
Marketed In
USA, Japan, China
No Government Assistance
England
Under Regulatory Review:
In 17 Countries
Disapproved by
Australia, EU (EU Reconsidering Decision)
Advantages:
Less burdensome dosing.
Slight edge on safety.
Side Effects:
Adverse Events
17.4%
21.3%
ARIA (Amyloid-Related
Imaging Abnormalities)
37%
21%
Brain swelling
25%
12.6%

Kisunla vs. Leqembi: A Comparative Overview

Let’s compare Kisunla and Leqembi, two drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease:

1. Drug Class:

      • Kisunla:
            • Belongs to a new class of drugs designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

            • A monoclonal antibody that targets beta-amyloid, the toxic protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, forming plaques that disrupt normal brain signaling.

        • Leqembi:
              • Also a monoclonal antibody targeting beta-amyloid.

              • Approved last year for certain patients with early Alzheimer’s disease.

        2. Approval:

          3. Effectiveness:

              • Kisunla:
                    • May slow declines in memory and thinking skills in early-stage Alzheimer’s patients.

                    • Cannot reverse memory loss or other symptoms.

                    • Not a cure.

                • Leqembi:
                      • Similar effects to Kisunla.

                4. Brain Scans:

                  Remember that neither drug can reverse existing brain damage, and benefits are modest. Consult your doctor to determine the best treatment for your specific situation. 🧠


                  Learn more:

                  1. alzinfo.org
                  2. pbs.org
                  3. apnews.com
                  4. biospace.com

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                  Anonymous
                  Anonymous
                  October 5, 2024 1:17 am

                  Nice to hear some perspective. My wife started suffering dementia last year. She was in a trial, and has tried a lot of options between prescriptions and supplements. Next week she gets a baseline mri and then hope to start the Kisunla infusions. We are hopeful for anything we can get

                  Anonymous
                  Anonymous
                  Reply to  Anonymous
                  November 7, 2024 4:10 pm

                  Hi, What is your wifes situation now? Did she get Kisunla infusions?

                  Milton
                  Milton
                  Reply to  Anonymous
                  February 3, 2025 9:01 pm

                  My wife starts Kisunla tomorrow. Would appreciate an update on your results.

                  Edited by:
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                  P. Berger

                  This site was inspired by my Mom’s autoimmune dementia.

                  It is a place where we separate out the wheat from the chafe, the important articles & videos from each week’s river of news. Google gets a new post on Alzheimer’s or dementia every 7 minutes. That can overwhelm anyone looking for help. This site filters out, focuses on and offers only the best information. it has helped hundreds of thousands of people since it debuted in 2007. Thanks to our many subscribers for your supportive feedback.

                  The site is dedicated to all those preserving the dignity of the community of people living with dementia.

                  Peter Berger, Editor

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                  This site was inspired by my Mom’s autoimmune dementia.

                  It is a place where we separate out the wheat from the chafe, the important articles & videos from each week’s river of news. Google gets a new post on Alzheimer’s or dementia every 7 minutes. That can overwhelm anyone looking for help. This site filters out, focuses on and offers only the best information. it has helped hundreds of thousands of people since it debuted in 2007. Thanks to our many subscribers for your supportive feedback.

                  The site is dedicated to all those preserving the dignity of the community of people living with dementia.

                  Peter Berger, Editor

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