Common Drugs That Can Fight Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease affects over 5 million Americans and millions more worldwide. It is a progressive, degenerative disease that causes its sufferers to lose their cognitive abilities and eventually, their physical abilities as well. The use of drugs specifically designed for Alzheimer's patients slows this progression, enabling the patient the ability to retain his memory and ease the behavioral and emotional side effects as well.

Significance

• For those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the prescription medications the FDA has approved for treatment offers hope for a prolonged quality of life. Some drugs are prescribed for those who suffer from mild to moderate Alzheimer's, while others are prescribed for moderate to severe cases. Though none of these drugs is a cure, they may delay the need for admission of the Alzheimer's patient into a nursing home or long-term care facility, as well as relieving the stress on the caregiver while the patient resides at home.

Function

• Alzheimer's disease decreases the levels of acetylcholine, a chemical that is responsible for memory, judgment and thought process. Over time, the brain of the Alzheimer's patient shrinks as the cells and tissues are destroyed. This deterioration of brain cells can progress slowly or rapidly, depending on the patient, with the average span between diagnosis and death being 7 to 10 years. The common drugs prescribed by doctors in the treatment of this disease work by protecting the cholinergic system, which is the system responsible for memory and learning. They also prevent the levels of acetylcholine from decreasing, which prolongs the deterioration of brain cells. There are also drugs used to ease the side effects of Alzheimer's such as depression and hallucinations, allowing the caregiver the ability to properly assist the Alzheimer's patient with her daily living needs by keeping her calm in her environment.

Types

• There are two main drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. They are Cholinesterase Inhibitors and N-methyl-D-Aspartate, or NMDA, receptors. The most common inhibitors include Aricept, Exelon and Galantamine. These drugs are used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Aricept slows the loss of cognitive function in the Alzheimer's patient and is often used in combination with Memantine to increase its benefits. Exelon is more beneficial for those who suffer from Alzheimer's at an increased rate and has slowed the progression while actually improving their cognitive abilities. Galantamine not only improves mental function but also aids in the behavioral and mental side effects. Its effects can last for a year or longer and could strengthen over time. For moderate to severe Alzheimer's, an NMDA receptor is prescribed. Currently, there is only one drug, Memantine, that is available for treatment in this category. This medication helps protect an overstimulation of the amino acid glutamate, which destroys the nerves and cells in the brain and improves cognitive function for up to a year. Anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft are used to treat the emotional side effects of the disease, while antipsychotic medications like Haldol and Clozaril are used to treat hallucinations and delusions that may result in violent physical or verbal outbursts.

Considerations

• Of all the people who are diagnosed every 71 seconds with Alzheimer's disease, only half will benefit from the drugs currently available in the treatment of their disease. It is also recommended that before a patient is prescribed medications to treat the behavioral effects of Alzheimer's, they receive a thorough exam to make certain there is not an underlying medical condition causing their outbursts. As the disease progresses, the patient will be less capable of verbally expressing any pain or discomfort they may be experiencing. Some of these causes could be a urinary tract infection, interactions with medications they may be taking for other conditions, or problems with their vision. These are all conditions that can be treated easily with short-term medications, eliminating the need to be placed on anti-psychotic medications for the long term which carry their own adverse side effects.

Warning

• As with any prescribed medications, the drugs used to treat Alzheimer's disease have unpleasant side effects, some of which could be detrimental to the patient's health. The most common side effects result from gastrointestinal irritation and include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and frequent bowel movements. The patient may also suffer from dizziness and confusion, and some of the worst-case scenarios have included the development of ulcers and liver damage. Yet despite the risks and warnings, many still opt to take the drugs in the hope that their disease will progress slowly, allowing them to enjoy their life and their family just a little longer.