Alzheimer’s illness is one thing that everybody is scared to get. It’s a sort of dementia that causes reminiscence, pondering, and habits issues. Signs normally develop slowly and worsen over time, changing into extreme sufficient to intrude with each day duties.
Studying you or your beloved has it may be devastating. Sadly, there isn’t a one take a look at to diagnose Alzheimer’s and no treatment, however there are therapies that may assist handle the signs. For a little bit of assist, beneath are 5 Alzheimer’s medicines prescribed by docs to handle signs.
Aricept
Aricept is an oral remedy used to deal with Alzheimer’s illness signs. It’s a part of a category of medicine known as cholinesterase inhibitors which can be additionally used to deal with different situations, comparable to Parkinson’s illness, Lewy physique dementia, and Huntington’s illness.
Whereas it doesn’t treatment Alzheimer’s illness, Aricept will help enhance reminiscence, consideration, and the power to perform. It might additionally assist scale back agitation and aggression in individuals with Alzheimer’s illness.
Aricept is an enzyme blocker that restores the steadiness of a chemical known as acetylcholine within the mind. Acetylcholine is important for studying and reminiscence. Your dosage will probably be primarily based in your medical situation and response to remedy. For a provide of 30 tablets, the price of Aricept may go as excessive as $542. However you may decrease your Aricept value through the use of a pharmacy low cost card from Buzzrx Low cost App
Memantine
Memantine is one other FDA-approved drug to deal with reasonable to extreme Alzheimer’s illness. It really works by blocking the motion of glutamate, a neurotransmitter concerned in growing Alzheimer’s illness.
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that helps with studying and reminiscence. Nonetheless, an excessive amount of glutamate could be dangerous. Why? An excessive amount of glutamate can overstimulate nerve cells and trigger them to die when there’s an excessive amount of glutamate. And that is known as excitotoxicity, and it performs a task in Alzheimer’s illness.
Memantine works by blocking the motion of glutamate. Consequently, it protects nerve cells from excitotoxicity and demise, enhancing cognitive perform in individuals with Alzheimer’s illness.
You’ll be able to take this drug as syrup or capsule, and the dose is began low and elevated regularly over a interval of weeks or months. Widespread unwanted side effects embody headache, dizziness, confusion, and fatigue.
Be aware that memantine will not be a treatment for Alzheimer’s illness, and it doesn’t work for everybody. Nonetheless, it might assist enhance signs in some individuals with the situation. When you contemplate taking this drug, talk about it together with your physician first.
Exelon
This prescription drug can be used to deal with the signs of Alzheimer’s illness. Exelon works by rising the degrees of a chemical known as acetylcholine. This chemical is important for reminiscence and pondering.
Exelon is offered in two varieties:
- a capsule
- a patch utilized to the pores and skin
The capsules are normally taken a couple of times a day with meals. The Exelon patch is normally worn for 12 hours after which eliminated. Then, you may typically apply it to 2 completely different physique areas on a rotating schedule.
The commonest unwanted side effects of Exelon are:
- nausea
- vomiting
- lack of urge for food
- weight reduction
- diarrhea
- dizziness
When you expertise any of those unwanted side effects, contact your physician. They can suggest a unique course of remedy.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic medicines will help to enhance Alzheimer’s illness signs by decreasing hallucinations, delusions, and agitation. These medicines also can assist to enhance cognitive perform and reminiscence.
The commonest antipsychotic medication used to deal with Alzheimer’s illness are haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal), and olanzapine (Zyprexa). Sadly, whereas antipsychotic medicines can successfully deal with the signs of Alzheimer’s illness, they will additionally trigger unwanted side effects.
The commonest unwanted side effects embody drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and dizziness. Antipsychotic medicines also can enhance the chance of falls and fractures.
When you contemplate taking antipsychotic remedy for Alzheimer’s illness, speaking to your physician concerning the potential dangers and advantages is important.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a part of a category of medicine generally used to deal with anxiousness, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. These medicines will help individuals with Alzheimer’s illness by decreasing anxiousness and agitation.
The drug relaxes the muscle tissue, which might scale back the sensation of tension. It additionally has a sedative impact, which will help individuals with insomnia. Benzodiazepines also can assist to regulate seizures.
Some unwanted side effects are related to benzodiazepines, together with drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. These medication also can work together with different medicines. Some individuals might expertise withdrawal signs after they cease taking benzodiazepines. These signs can embody anxiousness, insomnia, irritability, and nausea. In case you are eager about stopping your remedy, it is important to speak to your physician first.
Conclusion
Whereas there’s nonetheless no treatment for Alzheimer’s illness, many medicines will help handle the signs and enhance the standard of life for these residing with the illness. However earlier than beginning any remedy, it’s important to speak together with your physician concerning the dangers and advantages.
