FreeMD® Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease Treatment: Drugs

Medications used to treat Alzheimer's disease include:

This drug is called a cholinesterase inhibitor because it blocks the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetyl choline in the brain.
Low levels of acetyl choline in some regions of the brain are thought to be responsible for some Alzheimer's symptoms.
Donepezil is approved for use at all stages of the disease: mild, moderate, and severe
May improve mental function (such as memory) in some patients. Will not work in roughly half of all users.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and insomnia.

This drug is also a cholinesterase inhibitor because it blocks the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetyl choline in the brain.
May improve mental function (such as memory) in some patients.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, rash, abdominal pain, and indigestion.
Less commonly tacrine may cause liver damage so blood tests (liver profile) needs to be monitored when taking the drug.

Works by affecting the metabolism of glutamate in the brain. Glutamate plays a role in memory and learning. In Alzheimer's there is too much glutamate and memantine helps regulate glutamate levels in the brain.
Approved for use in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
May improve mental function (such as memory) in some patients.
May work better when used in combination with other Alzheimer's drugs such as donepezil, tacrine, rivastigmine, or galantamine.
Side effects include fatigue, confusion, dizziness, and headache.

This drug is called a cholinesterase inhibitor because it blocks the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetyl choline in the brain.
Most effective when given at early stages of the disease.
May improve mental function (such as memory) in some patients.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and insomnia.
Rare deaths have been reported from heart attack and stroke.

This drug is called a cholinesterase inhibitor because it blocks the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetyl choline in the brain.
Most effective when given at early stages of the disease.
May improve mental function (such as memory) in some patients.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and insomnia.
Rare deaths have been reported from heart attack and stroke.