Uncovering the Unknowns of an Alzheimer's Drug Side Effect
Manufacturers of Alzheimer's drugs, such as lecanemab, need to be more transparent about the potential side effects, specifically brain swelling and bleeding known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). While the benefits of these drugs have been highlighted, the common side effects have received less attention. Clinical trials have shown that ARIA occurred in 12%-35% of treated patients compared to 3%-13% in those receiving a placebo. Serious symptoms such as seizures, impaired speech, and vision problems have been reported in 1-2% of patients. The lack of transparency and timely reporting of adverse events by drug manufacturers hinders the ability to learn from these cases and protect future patients. Physicians and regulators should insist on full disclosure of adverse events and require timely reporting and data sharing from clinical trials.