Drooling Problems Associated With Alzheimer's Medication

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills over a period of time and, eventually, even the tasks of daily living. It is the most common cause of dementia as well, and usually appears in individuals over age 60. To date there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease but there are several medications that can slow down the progression of the disease and help improve the quality of life and ability to perform normal everyday tasks. As with any medication, many side effects are associated with these drugs and excessive drooling is one of the most common.

Causes of drooling

• Excessive drooling is usually due to an inability to swallow saliva, which can be brought about by weakened facial muscles, often seen in the later stages of Alzheimer's. It can also be a side effect of certain medications such as Risperdone and Aricept. Anticholinergic drugs are often prescribed for Alzheimer's patients to help decrease the production of saliva and stop drooling.

Risperdone

• Risperdone is an anti-psychotic medication that works by blocking some of the dopamine receptors in the brain and correcting chemical imbalances. Some studies by facilities like the VA Medical Center and Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston have claimed that it is effective in treating psychosis in Alzheimer's patients, while others such as the study by physicians at the Pharmacoepidemiology Center in McLean Hospital at Belmont, Massachusetts argue that the risks to elderly patients outweigh the benefits. Side effects can range from uncontrolled facial and tongue movements, which can lead to drooling and difficulty with swallowing, to more serious conditions such as cardiac arrest with fatality.

Aricept

• Aricept is a medication often prescribed to treat mild dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. It works by improving the function of the brain's nerve cells. Aricept can cause side effects that impair an individual's thinking. Other common side effects can include severe nausea, vomiting and drooling. These are usually attributed to overmedication.

Haldol

• Haldol is an antipsychotic medication sometimes used for the management of severe combative or explosive behaviors in Alzheimer's patients. Haldol blocks the effects of the chemical dopamine in the brain, which can be elevated in individuals with psychotic disorders. Elderly patients who take Haldol may develop uncontrollable side effects such as muscle movements in the tongue, face, mouth and jaw, which can also causing drooling. It can can also lead to more serious side effects such as heart failure.

Anticholinergic medications

• Alzheimer's patients who experience drooling problems are at a much higher risk of breathing saliva, food or fluids into the lungs, which can lead to gagging, coughing and possible infections. Anticholinergic medications such as Atropine sulfate can be prescribed to treat this condition by reducing the amount of saliva produced.