An Introduction to Donanemab, the New Alzheimer’s Drug

Alzheimer’s is a disease which affects mostly elderly people and results in confusion, memory problems and personality changes. It can be difficult for both the patient and their loved ones, since the patient can no longer do all of the things they used to be able to do.

According to the NHS, Alzheimer’s affects up to 1 in 14 people over the age of 65.

Until now, there have been few treatments for Alzheimer’s. Recently, a drug named Donanemab has been developed for treating Alzheimer’s, with the aim of slowing down the disease.

What Is Donanemab?

This drug is known as a monoclonal antibody. It binds to a type of protein called amyloid. In Alzheimer’s patients, amyloid builds up in the brain, and this is thought to contribute to the symptoms associated with the disease. The aim of this drug is to clear this build-up of amyloid and slow the progression of the disease.

Is Donanemab Available in the UK?

Donanemab has been approved by the UK medicines regulator, the MHRA. However, NICE has not recommended it for routine use on the NHS, because its benefits were not judged to justify its cost. Lecanemab, a similar drug, is in the same position.

It is especially important with Alzheimer’s patients that safe handling of medication takes place, since they may not be able to manage this independently. For staff or family members who are carers for Alzheimer’s patients, courses which provide a grounding in administering medicines can be essential. You can visit Tidal Training for more information.

Is Donanemab Effective?

Research so far has shown that Donanemab can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, provided it is started in the early stages of the disease. It slows the disease down rather than curing it.

The most positive thing that we can take from this news is that research is ongoing into cures and medicines for Alzheimer’s, and the development of Donanemab means that we are one step closer to being able to treat this illness.