Download Medications for Alzheimer`s

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_standard_prescriptions.asp
Medications for Alzheimer’s disease
Medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in
America are:
 Cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, Cognex)
 Memantine (Namenda)
These drugs are only used to try to control the symptoms like memory
loss, confusion and problems with thinking and reasoning and not to
prevent the progression of the disease
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As brain cells die during Alzheimer’s the connections among cells
are lost which causes cognitive symptoms to worsen
Drugs available currently don’t prevent the death of brain cells
but lessen/stabilise symptoms for limited time by affecting certain
chemicals involved in carrying messages among brains nerve
cells
Sometimes both drugs are prescribed at the same time
Doctors give high doses of vitamin E for cognitive changes of
Alzheimer’s Disease
Medications for early to moderate stages
Cholinesterase inhibitors
 Prevent breakdown of acetylcholine (chemical messenger
important for learning and memory)
 It supports communication among nerve cells by keeping
Acetylcholine levels high
 Delay worsening of symptoms for 6-12 months (on average)
 Normal well tolerated.
 Cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and increased
frequency of bowel movements
Commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors
 Donepezil (Aricept)- all stages of Alzheimer’s
 Rivastigmine (Exelon)- mild to moderate Alzheimer’s
 Galantamine (Razadyne)- mild to moderate Alzheimer’s
 Tacrine (1st drug approved but not given often because of more
serious side effects than the other medications)
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_standard_prescriptions.asp
Medications for moderate to severe stages (Memantine)
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Prescribed to improve memory, attention, reason, language and
ability to perform simple tasks
Used alone or with other Alzheimer’s treatments
Evidence that it may benefit those taking cholinesterase
inhibitors to take Memantine also.
Donepezil (Aricept)= only cholinesterase inhibitors approved to
treat all stages of Alzheimer’s
Memantine
Regulates activity of glutamate (messenger chemical involved in
learning and memory)
Delays worsening of symptoms temporarily. Benefits similar to that
of cholinesterase inhibitors
Side effects- headache, constipation, confusion, dizziness.
Vitamin E
 Aka…Alpha tocopherol
 An antioxidant
 Antioxidants MAY protect brain cells and other body tissues from
chemical wear and tear
 A study from 1997 showed that high doses of vitamin B delayed
loss of ability to carry out daily activities by several months
 Study conducted by Alzheimer’s disease
Cooperative Study (ADCS), the clinical research
consortium of the National Institute for Aging (NIA)
 However, since the study scientists have discovered that high
doses of vitamin E can increase the risk of death (especially
when they have CHD)
 A study in 2005 found vitamin E to be ineffective for people with
mild cognitive impairment
 In 2014, results of a study published by ‘Journal of the American
Medical Association’ showed the individuals with mild-moderate
Alzheimer’s who received high doses of vitamin B had a 19%
slower rate of functional decline than those of placebo
 Functional decline= problems with daily activities like shopping,
preparing meals, bathing, eating, planning and traveling
 The individuals who took part in the study were followed up for 2
years.
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_standard_prescriptions.asp
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People who received Memantine and vitamin E did not have
same benefits of those of vitamin E alone
None of 4 study groups showed cognitive benefits.