On July 2, 2024 the FDA approved donanemab (brand name Kisunla), a medication from Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals that may slow the decline seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.  

Our medical team at Memory & Movement Charlotte is committed to helping our patients and their families understand what to expect from this medication with respect to the benefits as well as the risks. This medication is indicated for treatment of patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. 

The phase 3 donanemab trial has shown that this medication can slow the cognitive and functional decline expected in Alzheimer’s disease as compared to placebo. The study estimates a slowing of progression of about 35%, which equates to about a 6-month delay in symptom worsening. 

While the FDA has granted full approval of this medication, it will take months for it to become available and covered by insurers.  

There will be ample opportunity to discuss this drug on upcoming visits. It will be important to determine if an individual is a candidate for this treatment, what efficacy would look like for that individual, and what might be that individual’s risk of side effects. This treatment is not for everyone, and it is our responsibility to “at first, do no harm” to our patients. 

We at Memory & Movement Charlotte believe donanemab to be an incremental step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and pledge to be a valuable resource for our patients and their families for consideration of treatments that can offer meaningful help for this disease.  

 

Thank you for the privilege of caring for you and your family,  

 

Aris Chaconas, MD
Sanjay Iyer, MD
Anita Wu, MD