Can I take Leqembi together with Eliquis?

Last updated: 30 October 2024

If you're a patient with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, you can get Leqembi even if it's not approved in the EU. However, to do so, you need to be sure that you are eligible for treatment with lecanemab. Your treating doctor will best be able to assess your situation. One of the factors they'll look at is whether you're taking blood thinners, such as Eliquis (apixaban).

Here's everything you need to know about taking Leqembi with Eliquis.

Does Leqembi interact with Eliquis?

Yes. As a blood thinning medicine, Eliquis interacts with lecanemab. When taken together, the two medicines may lead to an increased risk of adverse effects related to bleeding in the brain (ARIA) ¹.

ARIA is among Leqembi's documented serious adverse effects. It is most commonly seen as temporary swelling in some brain areas, which often resolves over time. However, in rare cases, some people may also experience bleeding in the brain. There are multiple factors that may increase your risk of getting this complication, and whether you take blood thinners is just one of them ².

Which blood thinners are not recommended to use with Leqembi?

Eliquis is one example of a blood thinner. However, any blood thinner, such as aspirin or warfarin, would be associated with the same risks in combination with Leqembi.

It should be noted, however, that there is limited clinical trial data to determine the magnitude of the role blood thinners play in increasing the risk of brain bleeding. That's why it's likely that your doctor will make the decision to prescribe (or not) Leqembi with blood thinners based on multiple factors. Including your prior health history, and other risk indicators for an intracerebral hemorrhage.

Can your doctor prescribe Leqembi together with Eliquis?

Theoretically, yes.

Although lecanemab and Eliquis (or other blood thinners) can increase the risk of bleeding in the brain, the reason for the UK to exclude this option from the approval of Leqembi, your doctor may still decide to prescribe them together. Your doctor is responsible and most knowledgeable for the treatment decision. They will make this decision on the basis of your specific condition. Including your health history and an assessment of the expected benefits against the potential risks.

If your doctor prescribes Leqembi next to the blood thinners you're already taking, they will most likely be monitoring your treatment very closely. This typically requires magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and during your treatment.

Are there other Alzheimer's medicines that can be used with Eliquis?

If your doctor doesn't recommend using Leqembi with Eliquis, is there another medicine for Alzheimer's that you can consider?

As it happens, all the latest medicine approvals for treating early Alzheimer's disease - Leqembi, Kisunla and Aduhelm - belong to a class of medicines called anti-amyloid therapies. They all share a similar safety profile and have ARIA as a documented potential adverse effect. With this in mind, Eliquis (or other blood thinners) would be associated with the same risks whether taken with Leqembi, Kisunla or Aduhelm.

Again, it's important to note that only your treating doctor can make the decision to prescribe Eliquis with Leqembi or another Alzheimer's medicine.

Has your doctor prescribed Leqembi? If it's not yet approved or available in your country, we can help you get it quickly and start your treatment. Just share your prescription with our team to get started.