Lecanemab Ireland: Availability, Cost, and What Families Need to Know

When a parent receives a dementia diagnosis, one of the first questions families ask is whether the new disease-modifying treatments — particularly lecanemab (marketed as Leqembi) — are available in Ireland. The answer is complicated, and understanding what is and isn't accessible through the HSE matters for planning your parent's care.

Current Availability of Lecanemab in Ireland

Lecanemab received conditional marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). However, availability in Ireland depends on a separate reimbursement decision by the HSE and the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). As of mid-2026, lecanemab is not routinely available through the public health system in Ireland.

The drug requires fortnightly intravenous infusions in a hospital setting, along with regular MRI monitoring to detect a side effect called ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities) — brain swelling or microbleeds that occur in roughly 13% of patients. This monitoring infrastructure is a barrier to widespread rollout.

Some patients may access lecanemab through clinical trials at Irish research hospitals or through specialist consultants who can arrange access on a named-patient basis. Discuss this with your parent's neurologist or geriatrician at their memory clinic appointment.

What Dementia Medications Are Available in Ireland

While disease-modifying treatments remain limited, several symptomatic medications are available through the HSE:

Cholinesterase inhibitors (for mild to moderate Alzheimer's):

• Donepezil (Aricept) — the most commonly prescribed, taken daily
• Rivastigmine (Exelon) — available as a capsule or patch
• Galantamine (Reminyl) — extended-release capsule

NMDA receptor antagonist (for moderate to severe Alzheimer's):

• Memantine (Ebixa) — often used in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor

These medications don't stop the disease from progressing, but they can stabilise symptoms for months to years by supporting neurotransmitter function. Side effects are generally manageable — nausea, dizziness, and appetite changes are the most common.

How to Access Medication Through the HSE

Your parent's specialist (geriatrician, psychiatrist of old age, or neurologist) prescribes dementia medication following a formal diagnostic assessment at a memory clinic. The prescription is then managed by their GP for ongoing repeats.

Costs depend on your parent's healthcare coverage:

• Medical Card holders: Prescriptions cost €1.50 per item, capped at €15/month
• Without a Medical Card: The Drugs Payment Scheme caps costs at €80/month per family
• Private health insurance: Some plans cover specialist appointments but not necessarily the medications

Non-Drug Approaches That Matter

Medication is only one part of dementia management. Evidence-based non-drug interventions available in Ireland include:

• Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): Group sessions offered through some HSE day centres and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland
• Occupational therapy: Home assessments to adapt the living environment, available through HSE Primary Care Centres
• Speech and language therapy: Particularly for communication difficulties in later stages
• Music and art therapy: Offered at some ASI day care centres

These interventions complement medication and can meaningfully improve quality of life, particularly in the early and moderate stages.

What This Means for Care Planning

Families shouldn't wait for a breakthrough drug before starting the care planning process. The practical steps — securing legal authority through an EPA, applying for HSE Home Support, and understanding Fair Deal — need to happen regardless of what medications become available.

Our Dementia Care in Ireland guide covers the full care pathway from diagnosis through to long-term care, including how to prepare for specialist appointments and get the most from your parent's treatment plan.

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