lecanemab
Leqembi · ATC code N06DX04
- Key facts
- Active substance
- lecanemab
- Drug class
- Antidementia agent
- ATC code
- N06DX04
- Authorisation
- centrally authorised across the EU (EMA)
- Dosage forms
- LEQEMBI 100 mg/mL concentrate for solution for infusion
- Marketing authorisation holder
- Eisai GmbH
- Information as of
- 2026-10-27
Key facts
Lecanemab is a monoclonal antibody directed against amyloid beta. It is used in adults with early Alzheimer's disease (mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia) who are ApoE ε4 non-carriers or heterozygotes.
What it is used for
- Adults with a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease
- Only in ApoE ε4 non-carriers or heterozygotes with confirmed amyloid pathology; not in homozygotes
Dosing
- 10 mg/kg body weight as an intravenous infusion once every 2 weeks
- Before starting: test ApoE ε4 status and confirm amyloid pathology; initiation through a central registration system (controlled access programme)
- Brain MRI at baseline (within 6 months) and before the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th infusions
- With ARIA, suspend or discontinue dosing depending on symptoms and radiographic severity as set out in the full text
- Discontinue once the patient progresses to moderate Alzheimer's disease; cognitive assessment approximately every 6 months
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients
- Bleeding disorders not under adequate control
- Pre-treatment MRI findings of prior intracerebral haemorrhage, more than 4 microhaemorrhages, superficial siderosis, vasogenic oedema or other findings suggestive of cerebral amyloid angiopathy
- Treatment should not be started in patients on ongoing anticoagulant therapy
Important warnings
- Amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA-E and ARIA-H), usually early and asymptomatic, rarely serious with seizure or status epilepticus; enhanced vigilance during the first 14 weeks
- Intracerebral haemorrhages greater than 1 cm, including fatal events; caution in patients with increased bleeding risk
- Higher ARIA risk in ApoE ε4 homozygotes
- Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema, bronchospasm and anaphylaxis; stop the infusion promptly
- Infusion-related reactions
Side effects
- Most common in the indicated population: infusion-related reaction (26%), ARIA-H (13%), headache (11%) and ARIA-E (9%)
- Intracerebral haemorrhage over 1 cm in 0.5% on lecanemab vs 0.1% on placebo; fatal events have been observed
- Seizures including status epilepticus
Interactions
- No interaction studies; pharmacokinetic interactions are not expected
- Anticoagulants or thrombolytic agents may increase the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Pregnancy: no data; not recommended; women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for 2 months after the last dose
- Breast-feeding: no data; decide between stopping breast-feeding or lecanemab based on benefit and risk
Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.
Common questions – ask Medelix
For patients
Package leaflet, verbatim
Authorisation and brand names by country
Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.
EU – centrally authorised (all member states)
- LeqembiEisai GmbH · EMEA/H/C/005966
Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information
Brand names in 3 more European countries
- Iceland
- Leqembi
- Liechtenstein
- Leqembi
- Norway
- Leqembi
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28
Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.
Other substances in the same group
Another question about this substance?
Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.
Sources
- European Medicines Agency. Leqembi – EPAR, Product Information (OF THE TEXT MM/YYYY Detailed information on this medicinal p). 2026-10-27. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/leqembi-epar-product-information_en.pdf
- Wikidata (CC0): ATC N06DX.
Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error
Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.