Types of Alzheimer's Medications

Alzheimer's diease is a degenerative brain disorder that begins with confusion and memory loss and progresses to the overall loss of cognitive and physical functions. While there is no known cure for the disease, a variety of medications are successful at treating the many different Alzheimer's symptoms.

Types

• Medication for Alzheimer's sufferers generally falls within one of two categories: medications used to treat the cognitve symptoms of the disease, and medications used to treat the psychiatric symptoms.
  The cognitive problems associated with the disease, such as memory and gradual language loss, are routinely treated with cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists. Both of these drugs regulate the levels of particular neurotransmitters in the brain.
  Depression and hallucinations are common psychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and anti-psychotic medications are routinely used to control these symptoms.

Identification

• The most common cholinesterase inhibitors used to treat cognitive problems in Alzheimer's patients include Rivastigmine (Exelon), Donepril (Aricept), and Galantamine (Reminyl). The FDA has approved only one NMDA receptor antagonist drug, memantine (Namenda).
  Sertraline and trazodone are commonly prescribed anti-depressants for Alzheimer's sufferers, while diazepam and clozapine are examples of anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic medications used to control Alzheimer's symptoms.

Function

• Many Alzheimer sufferers have also turned to alternative medicine in search of relief from their symptoms. Many of these remedies, such as Coenzyme Q10, Ginkgo biloba, Huperzine A, and Phosphatidylserine, are in the form of herbal supplements. Ginkgo biloba and Huperzine A are thought to improve memory and Phosphatidylserine is thought to protect nerve cells from degenerating. Coenzyme Q10 is a strong antioxidant that many believe can slow the progress of Alzheimer's.

Effects

• Medications used to treat both the cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's can cause a number of side effects. The most common include drowsiness, appetite loss, fatigue, headache, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, runny nose, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  In some cases, the side effects can be much more severe: hallucinations, fainting, pain during urination, seizures, vomit the color and consistency of coffee grounds, and blood in the stool, urine, or vomit.

Considerations

• There are a number of drug interactions that Alzheimer's patients must be aware of when taking Alzheimer's medications. The following drugs may reduce the effectiveness of Alzheimer's medication or cause severe side effects: aspirin, ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; anticholinergics; anticonvulsants; anticoagulants; and certain antibiotics.