As Lundbeck and Otsuka count on prescriptions in agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AADAD) to continue driving growth for Rexulti, the duo is supporting new research highlighting the need for greater awareness of and education around the condition.
The survey, commissioned by the Alliance for Aging Research (AAR) and sponsored by the two drugmakers, spanned 1,000 U.S. adults and 1,000 unpaid or family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The resulting report (PDF), dubbed “The Agitation Blindspot in Alzheimer’s Care,” went live Wednesday and reveals major barriers to effective care for people with AADAD.
Nearly half of the people living with Alzheimer’s show signs of developing agitation, per the alliance. Symptoms of the condition include restlessness, disinhibition and verbal and physical aggression.
Misconceptions about AADAD abound among both of the surveyed groups, with around 40% of the adults surveyed failing to link agitation symptoms to Alzheimer’s.
Among the caregivers specifically, only about a third made the connection between Alzheimer’s and either physical aggression (36%) or disinhibition (31%). Plus, nearly three-quarters of the caregivers surveyed said they believe AADAD can be managed with the same care approach as memory loss—which is inaccurate, per the AAR, as the condition must be diagnosed and treated separately.
That lack of understanding about AADAD and its available treatments may also be contributing to the intense burden felt by many caregivers. Citing fear, guilt or stigma attached to talking about a widely misunderstood condition, more than 30% said they’ve felt hesitant to talk to a doctor about a loved one’s agitation symptoms.
Overall, more than 90% of those who care for people experiencing agitation symptoms said they feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained, with many reporting difficulty sleeping, feelings of isolation or loneliness and impacts on their jobs and social lives. About half said managing agitation is even harder than memory loss.
“These findings highlight the urgent need to raise awareness about symptoms of agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia and to better support unpaid and family caregivers, who too often face this journey in isolation,” Sue Peschin, president and CEO of the AAR, said in a release. “We encourage caregivers to talk with their loved ones’ healthcare professionals about any changes in behavior they see, so doctors have the full picture and can help identify the best strategies and support.”
Lundbeck and Otsuka’s Rexulti has been approved to treat AADAD since 2023. In its third-quarter earnings report (PDF) this week, Lundbeck tallied global Rexulti sales of just under 4.7 billion Danish kroner ($729 million) for the first nine months of this year, representing 27% year-over-year growth at constant exchange rates.
In an accompanying presentation, Lundbeck named AADAD as the “main U.S. growth engine” for Rexulti, calculating more than 660% growth in the med’s share of stateside prescriptions in the indication since its FDA approval. Per the report, as of July, Rexulti boasted a 4.35% share of the Alzheimer’s market.