Donanemab for Alzheimer's Treatment in Kolkata

Donanemab is an advanced medicine used to treat early-stage Alzheimer's disease. It is a monoclonal antibody treatment, developed in a laboratory. It is not a regular memory tablet. The global brand name of donanemab is Kisunla. This treatment may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in eligible patients. However, it cannot cure the disease or restore brain cells that have already been damaged.

How Does Donanemab Work?

In people with Alzheimer's disease, a protein called amyloid beta can build up in the brain. These protein deposits form amyloid plaques, which are linked to memory and thinking problems.

Donanemab targets these amyloid plaques. It helps the body's immune system remove the plaques from the brain. In a major clinical trial, donanemab slowed the progression of the disease by about 35% in a particular group of patients with early Alzheimer's disease. This does not mean every patient will experience the same benefit.

Hospitals to Contact for Donanemab Treatment in Kolkata

Patients and families in Kolkata can contact the neurology departments of the following hospitals to ask about donanemab treatment and specialist consultation.

• Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata
• MRI Hospital
• Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals
• CMRI Hospital
• Peerless Hospital
• Fortis Hospital

Availability of Donanemab in India

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) granted marketing authorisation for donanemab in November 2025. Eli Lilly launched the medicine in India in May 2026. It is intended for eligible adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, including mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, when amyloid pathology has been confirmed.

Donanemab is not an ordinary medicine that patients should buy and use on their own. It requires a prescription, specialist supervision, and appropriate medical facilities. The treatment can also be expensive, and patients should confirm the current price and availability before making treatment plans.

Cost of Donanemab Medicine in Kolkata

Donanemab, sold under the brand name Lormalzi in India, is an expensive medicine for early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The published price and the practical cost of treatment are shown below. Patients should contact the hospital to confirm the current price and availability before planning treatment.

Total Cost of Donanemab Treatment in Kolkata

News reports estimate a full course of donanemab treatment at roughly ₹50 lakh to ₹60 lakh over up to 18 months. This is an estimated range, not a confirmed quotation from any Kolkata hospital. The exact amount depends on the patient's condition, the treatment plan, and the hospital providing the infusion.

Families should also budget for the extra costs that are not part of the medicine price. These typically include brain MRI scans, amyloid testing, specialist consultations, and hospital infusion charges.

Patients should contact the treating hospital for an exact cost estimate before starting treatment. Costs can differ between hospitals, and additional charges for scans, tests, and follow-up visits may apply.

Who Can Receive Donanemab Treatment?

Donanemab is mainly intended for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. It may be considered for people with mild memory and thinking problems or mild dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.

Age alone does not determine whether a patient can receive this treatment. Doctors must consider the patient's diagnosis, brain scan results, overall health, and other medical conditions.

Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease may not be suitable for this treatment. Once significant damage to brain cells has occurred, donanemab cannot restore those cells to their previous condition.

What Tests Are Needed Before Treatment?

An early and accurate diagnosis is important before considering donanemab. Doctors may recommend the following assessments:

• Brain MRI This helps doctors check the brain and identify findings that may increase the risk of treatment-related complications.
• Amyloid Testing A suitable test, such as an amyloid PET scan, may be needed to confirm amyloid plaques in the brain.
• Medical Assessment The doctor reviews the patient's symptoms, medical history, and current medicines.

A CT scan may be useful for certain medical assessments, but it does not replace the tests needed to confirm amyloid pathology. These tests help the specialist decide whether donanemab is an appropriate treatment for the patient.

How Is Donanemab Given?

Donanemab is administered through a vein as an intravenous infusion. The treatment is given in a hospital or an appropriate clinical setting under medical supervision.

The medicine is generally administered once every four weeks. The doctor determines the dose and treatment plan according to the approved prescribing information.

Patients need regular follow-up appointments during treatment. Doctors may recommend repeated MRI scans to monitor for possible side effects.

Side Effects and Important Safety Precautions

Donanemab can cause serious side effects. One important risk is amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). These can involve swelling or bleeding in the brain.

Some patients may also experience infusion-related reactions. The risk of complications needs careful assessment before treatment begins. Patients taking blood-thinning medicines should tell their doctor before treatment. These medicines and certain brain scan findings may affect the risk of bleeding.

• Severe or unusual headaches
• Dizziness or sudden weakness
• Blurred vision
• Confusion or difficulty speaking
• Difficulty walking
• Seizures
• Persistent nausea or vomiting with other concerning symptoms

These symptoms do not always mean donanemab has caused a complication, but they require prompt medical assessment.

Is Donanemab Suitable for Every Type of Memory Loss?

No. Memory loss can have several causes. Alzheimer's disease is one of them, but vascular dementia and vitamin deficiencies can also cause memory problems.

Donanemab targets amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. It is not a treatment for every type of dementia or every cause of memory loss.

For this reason, patients should receive a proper diagnosis before considering the medicine. A qualified neurologist can help identify the cause of memory problems and determine the most suitable treatment.

Conclusion

Donanemab is an important development in the treatment of early-stage Alzheimer's disease. It works by targeting amyloid plaques in the brain and may slow the progression of the disease in eligible patients.

However, it is not suitable for everyone. Early diagnosis, appropriate brain tests, careful assessment of bleeding risks, and regular medical monitoring are essential. Cost is also an important factor: the medicine is priced at ₹91,688 per 350 mg vial, and a full course may cost an estimated ₹50 lakh to ₹60 lakh over up to 18 months.

If you are looking for donanemab treatment in Kolkata, contact a hospital's neurology department for further information. A specialist can assess the patient's condition, explain the possible benefits and risks, and confirm the current charges.