Aduhelm

Generic name: aducanumab-avwa
Dosage form: injection, for intravenous use
Drug class: Miscellaneous central nervous system agents

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 1, 2021.

What is Aduhelm?

Aduhelm is a prescription medicine used to treat people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment with Aduhelm should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease, the population in which treatment was initiated in clinical trials.

It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective in children.

Important information

Aduhelm can cause serious side effects, including:
Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities or “ARIA”. ARIA is a common side effect that does not usually cause any symptoms but can be serious. It is most commonly seen as temporary swelling in areas of the brain that usually resolves over time. Some people may also have small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain with the swelling. Although most people with swelling in areas of the brain do not have symptoms, some people may have symptoms, such as:

• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• confusion
• vision changes

Your healthcare provider will do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and during your treatment to check you for ARIA.
Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Before receiving Aduhelm

Before you start treatment, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Aduhelm will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if aducanumab-avwa (the active ingredient) passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while receiving Aduhelm.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How will I receive Aduhelm?

• Aduhelm is given through a needle placed in your vein (intravenous (IV) infusion) in your arm.
• Aduhelm is given every 4 weeks. Each infusion will last about 1 hour.

Aduhelm side effects

Aduhelm can cause serious side effects, including:

• See above Important information.
• Serious allergic reactions. Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue and hives have happened during an Aduhelm infusion. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction during or after your infusion.

The most common side effects include:

• swelling in areas of the brain, with or without small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain (ARIA)
• headache
• fall

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA1088.

What other drugs will affect Aduhelm?

Other drugs may interact with aducanumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

General Information about the safe and effective use of Aduhelm

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in this Medication Guide. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information that is written for health professionals. For more information, go to www.Aduhelm.com or call at 1-833-425-9360.

What are the ingredients in Aduhelm?

Active ingredient: aducanumab-avwa
Inactive ingredients: L-arginine hydrochloride, L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Lmethionine, polysorbate 80, and water for injection

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer