In recent years, new Alzheimer’s drugs have had a slow start, but they are now gaining momentum. Sales of Eli Lilly’s Kisunla and Eisai and Biogen’s Leqembi have grown significantly. Kisunla made $70 million in the third quarter, up from $48.6 million in the second quarter. Leqembi brought in $121 million globally, an 82% increase from the previous year. Doctors are becoming more comfortable with these treatments as they see that most patients are handling them well. Dr. Suzanne Schindler, a neurologist specializing in dementia, noted this positive trend. Both drugs have faced challenges, including concerns about serious side effects. Some experts argued that the benefits were not worth the risks. For example, the European Medicines Agency initially rejected Kisunla because the benefits of slowing disease progression by 20% to 30% did not outweigh the risks, such as brain bleeds and swelling. However, Lilly appealed, and the EMA approved the drug in September. Leqembi also faced similar questions about its risks and benefits. Dr. Lawren VandeVrede, a neurologist at UC San Francisco, expressed both encouragement and frustration with the adoption of these drugs. He believes they are at the forefront of a treatment revolution. Prescribing these drugs has been challenging due to their new mechanism. Doctors need to follow specialized protocols, including biomarker testing and regular infusions and brain scans. Many patients who could benefit from these drugs are not getting them due to a lack of education and infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the new drugs offer hope for patients and caregivers who have few options. Drugmakers are working to improve safety and reduce the treatment burden. For example, Leqembi Iqlik, a once-weekly, at-home injection, could make ongoing treatment more convenient. The FDA also approved a modified dosing schedule for Kisunla to lower the risk of side effects. Dr. Schindler expects prescribing to increase as more data on safety and effectiveness become available. However, more groundwork needs to be established to give patients a clearer path to treatment. Dr. VandeVrede noted that the major barrier to adoption is a lack of experience and access, but familiarity with these medicines is increasing. The goal is to treat patients earlier when the drugs could be most effective. A Kisunla extension trial showed a 27% reduction in disease progression among early-stage patients. The steady rise of Kisunla and Leqembi suggests that disease-modifying Alzheimer’s drugs may be gaining commercial traction. Dr. VandeVrede hopes to see continued increases as more patients who could benefit from these treatments are reached.