There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a loved one in our family, whether it be a mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather, gradually forget everything. This forgetfulness that comes with Alzheimer's disease, that is, the gradual loss of memory, is a big challenge for everyone in the family. So when new treatments for such diseases come along, it brings great hope to all of us. Aducanumab is a drug that has brought such new hope. Let's talk about this simply and cordially today.
What kind of medicine is Aducanumab?
Simply put, Aducanumab is a drug used to treat patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or those with mild symptoms. It is available commercially under the brand name Aduhelm.
Imagine, the main cause of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of certain proteins (amyloid plaques) in our brain and damage to nerve cells. So what this Aducanumab drug does is help remove those harmful proteins from the brain. This is not a drug that completely cures the disease, but it is believed that it can help slow down the progression of the disease and control further memory loss.
The most important thing is that this medication is not suitable for everyone. It is only given to patients who have been diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer's disease under the supervision of a doctor.
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a pill or syrup that we take at home. Aducanumab is an intravenous injection . This means that to receive this treatment, you must go to a hospital or clinic. There, a doctor, nurse, or a trained medical team will give you this injection.
Usually, before you are given this treatment, you will be given a special leaflet (`MedGuide`) that contains detailed information about this medicine. It contains all the details about this medicine and its possible side effects. It is very important to read this leaflet carefully before each treatment session.
This medicine is not used for children because it is a drug designed to target Alzheimer's disease in adults.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
It is very important to tell your doctor about any other conditions you have before taking any medication, including when starting aducanumab treatment.
| What you need to know | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Allergies If you have an allergy to aducanumab or any other medicine, food, or dye. | This information is essential to prevent severe allergic reactions to the medication. |
| Pregnancy If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. | There is still no complete data on the safety of this medication during pregnancy. Therefore, the potential risk to the unborn child must be considered. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother (Breastfeeding) If you are breastfeeding your baby. | It is not yet clear whether the medication passes through breast milk to the baby and whether it will have any effect. Therefore, it is essential to discuss this with your doctor. |
Side effects to be aware of when using the medicine
When using such a powerful medication, it's important to be aware of the possible side effects. Some of them require immediate attention.
| Side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| 🚨 If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately or go to the hospital. | |
| Severe Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Brain swelling or small hemorrhages (ARIA) | Severe headache, confusion, dizziness, frequent falls, nausea, seizures, vision changes (e.g., blurred vision). |
| 🙂 If these side effects persist or are bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Diarrhea | Flatulence. |
What do you do if you miss a dose of medication?
It is very important to take this medication on the scheduled date. If you are unable to go to the hospital on the scheduled date, call your doctor or clinic immediately and let them know . They will give you a new date to take the missed dose.
What if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think you may have overdosed, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Can there be problems with other medications?
There haven't been many studies done on interactions between this drug and other medications, but that doesn't mean there won't be any problems.
Therefore, give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol. This will help you avoid unnecessary risks.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse during treatment. He or she will monitor your condition regularly.
Take-Home Message
- Aducanumab is an intravenous injection for early-stage Alzheimer's disease. It is only given in a hospital setting.
- Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies you have and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as severe headache, confusion, vision changes, or severe allergic reactions. These can be serious side effects.
- Do not miss scheduled treatment dates. If you miss any, inform your doctor immediately.
- Be open with your doctor about all other medications and supplements you take. Don't hide anything.
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