Think twice before buying new 'miracle' dementia drug, warn experts after reports emerge that two people in the US have died of suspected side effects in the past year By Luke Chafer Published: 22:46 BST, 24 August 2024 | Updated: 22:47 BST, 24 August 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Patients have been warned against going private for a new 'miracle' Alzheimer's drug after reports emerged that two people in the US have died of suspected side effects in the past year. The drug, lecanemab, has been shown to slow the decline in the degenerative brain disease by around six months. Last week, the infusion drug was rejected by the NHS spending watchdog, as the benefits were 'too small to justify the cost'.
The National Institute for Health and Social Care Excellence (NICE) also added there were concerns that patients would need to be monitored for 'serious side effects'. Last week, the infusion drug was rejected by the NHS spending watchdog, as the benefits were 'too small to justify the cost' (stock photo) Experts say that around 3,000 patients have started taking the drug since it was approved by US health officials in July 2023 (stock photo) Read More BREAKING NEWS 'Miracle' Alzheimer's drug WON'T be offered on NHS as benefits are too small to justify '£1bn' cost Around one in ten trial participants experienced swelling in the brain and one in six had small brain bleeds, which in rare cases led to life-threatening symptoms. Three patients died in the 1,800 participant trial of suspe.