FDA approves transdermal patch to treat Alzheimer’s-related dementia

Biopharmaceutical company Corium announced that the FDA has approved Adlarity to treat patients with mild, moderate or severe dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a press release.

The FDA approved once-weekly use of Adlarity (donepezil, Corium) in 5 mg/day or 10 mg/day formulations. The transdermal patch, which can be placed by a patient or caregiver on a patient's back, thigh or buttocks, delivers a consistent dose of donepezil through the skin, resulting in a low likelihood of adverse gastrointestinal side effects associated with oral donepezil. Patients may be switched from 5 mg/day or 10 mg/day oral donepezil directly to Adlarity by their prescriber.

“The FDA approval of Adlarity brings to market a new and innovative way to deliver consistently a well-tolerated form of donepezil, the most widely used medicine for patients with Alzheimer's disease,” Perry J. Sternberg, president and CEO of Corium, said in the release. “We feel truly privileged to have the opportunity to potentially help millions of people in the U.S. living with Alzheimer's disease, their loved ones and their caregivers with a new option that can address some of the current challenges in treatment and care.”

Adlarity is expected to be available in early fall 2022.