Drugs to Treat Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a distressing condition for both the sufferer and their loved ones, what could be worse than watching the one you have cared for slipping away into the unknown. They no longer recognise you and conversation holds no relevance to the person they once were. The risk of this brain degeneration increases in those with a family history of the disease or the elderly in general. The worst thing about the illness is the fact there is no known cure and from the early stages of the disease to the late stages you will watch the affected go from slight memory loss to complete inability to manage day to day tasks.

The best way to cure Alzheimer's is not to develop it in the first place. You can do this by keeping your brain active, eating a healthy diet and taking frequent exercise. If you do develop Alzheimer's disease there are many medications to help slow down the degeneration of the brain and prolong your life as much as possible.

Cholinesterase inhibitors

These are the most common drug choice for people with early stage Alzheimer's disease and help delay the mental decline associated with the disorder. There are several different cholinesterase inhibitors, which will be considered below.

Aricept

Aricept is probably the first line drug for Alzheimer's and indeed is the most prescribed drug for all stages of Alzheimer's disease. It works by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, thus increasing the levels of this important chemical which is used for brain activity including memory and other mental functions. Compared to other drugs its side effects are much milder and consist of nausea, weight loss and in some cases vomiting and diarrhoea.

Exelon

Exelon is a newer drug on the market which works in much the same way as Aricept, but its actions are limited to treating mild Alzheimer's disease in the early stages. Caution should be taken if prescribed this medication as in the past it has caused stroke and death in a small minority of elderly patients.

Cognex

Cognex is prescribed much less than the other cholinesterase inhibitors due to several side effects including liver damage, abdominal pain, rash and nausea. It slows the breakdown of acetylcholine and is best used in the mild-moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease as it provides no benefit when taken in the late stages of the illness.

Other drugs

Namenda

This drug is commonly used when Alzheimer's disease becomes more severe and may help people in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease prolong their memory and be able to wash themselves for a little longer than it they were not taking this particular drug. Namenda works by regulating the brain's glutamate activity. This is important as glutamate is essential for memory. Namenda can also be used with some cholinesterase inhibitors to further improve the patient's quality of life. As with other prescription drugs namenda is not without its side effects and many taking the drug complain of tiredness and dizziness.

Researchers are currently working hard to develop new drugs and a potential cure for Alzheimer's disease but until then these four drugs are your best way of increasing your life expectancy and life quality whilst living with Alzheimer's disease.

http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/medicationsfs.htm