WHA

Zunveyl (benzgalantamine)

Indications for Prior Authorization

Zunveyl (benzgalantamine)
  • For diagnosis of Mild to Moderate Dementia in Alzheimer’s
    Indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer’s type in adults.

Criteria

Zunveyl

For state-mandated plans in Illinois or other states where applicable: Step therapy requirements do NOT apply. Beginning January 1, 2026, step therapy requirements or use of the authorization of alternative covered medications in a manner that effectively creates a step therapy requirement will not be imposed.

Step Therapy

Length of Approval: 12 Month(s)

  • Requested drug is being used for a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indication
    • AND
  • Trial and failure (of a minimum 30-day supply), contraindication, or intolerance to TWO of the following:
    • generic galantamine
    • generic rivastigmine
    • generic donepezil

  • Guideline ID
    GL-486532

  • Formulary
    Premium

  • Effective date
    Jan 1, 2026

  • P&T approval date
    Apr 16, 2025

P & T Revisions

1970-01-01, 2025-12-18

  1. Zunveyl Prescribing Information. Alpha Cognition, Inc. Grapevine, TX. July 2024.
  2. Liu, A., and Kansteiner, F. Game on: Lilly's Alzheimer's drug Kisunla, a challenger to Biogen and Eisai's Leqembi, gains full FDA nod. Available at: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/game-lillys-alzheimers-drug-kisunla-challenger-biogen-and-eisais-leqembi-gains-full-fda-nod. Accessed March 18, 2025.
  3. Ellis, R., and Landmaid, S. Cholinesterase Inhibitors. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/cholinesterase-inhibitors-alzheimers. Accessed March 18, 2025.
  4. Hansen, R., Gartlehner, G., Webb, A., et al. Efficacy and safety of donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/cia.S12159936. Accessed March 18, 2025.
  5. Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias. Available at: https://psychiatryonline.org/pb/assets/raw/sitewide/practice_guidelines/guidelines/alzheimers.pdf. Accessed March 18, 2025.
  1. Unlike Zunveyl, which targets the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, Leqembi and Kisunla attempt to slow the progression of the disease by purging beta-amyloid proteins from the brain. Beta amyloids can build up over time, and they are believed to clog and slow the network of cells responsible for memory and thinking [2]
  • 1970-01-01: No criteria changes
  • 2025-12-18: no criteria changes, added IL statute operational note