Which Dementia Medicines Should Your loved one Use?
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There are several dementia medications on the market,but which ones should you choose? Continue reading to find out about the top drugs. Rivastigmine (Memantine),Donepezil,Benzodiazepines,and Donepezil are just a few. Here’s a list of the top three. You’ll also learn what these medications can do for your loved ones. Listed below is a description of each type of medication.
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Rivastigmine
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The Alzheimer’s Society finances research into new drugs. Studies are being conducted to see if rivastigmine can be used in dementia treatment. In some studies,common drugs are being tested for their anti-Alzheimer’s effects. Rivastigmine is available in oral capsules and patches. It has shown fewer side effects that other anti-Alzheimer’s drugs.
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The patient should take rivastigmine regularly. Rivastigmine should not be taken without a meal. It is recommended that you start with a lower dose,and then increase your dosage gradually. Patients should not skip doses and should inform their physician if they miss any. Patients must inform their doctor and pharmacist about any medication allergies they have or unusual reactions.
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Memantine
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There is a direct link between the use of memantine and dementia. Memantine is prescribed to mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s patients,but it shouldn’t be used for any other purpose. It can lead to liver and kidney problems and even seizures. Memantine may interact with herbal and complementary medications. To understand the risks as well as the benefits of memantine,you should read the manufacturer’s information leaflet.
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Memantine is taken daily. You can have it with or without meals. It is best to take it on a schedule with water. It should be taken on a regular basis,usually around the same time each day. It should not be crushed or mixed with any other liquid. It is important to use the medication on a regular basis to ensure that side effects are less likely.
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Donepezil
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Donepezil is an antipsychotic medication that is prescribed by a doctor for dementia. The usual daily dose is five mg. It should not be broken down,chewed,or crushed. It is prescribed as a daily pill and should be taken in the same dose at the same time each day. Donepezil should be taken as prescribed for a minimum of one month before it is evaluated for clinical response. Side effects should be closely monitored and treated accordingly.
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Donepezil,an acetylcholinesterase inhibit approved for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease treatment. It is a prescription drug that does not require any surgery and is used to improve cognitive function,decrease symptoms,delay institutionalization of Alzheimer’s patients. The drug is approved to treat mild-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. However,there have been some benefits for patients with Lewy bodies dementia.
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Benzodiazepines
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Benzodiazepines,commonly prescribed to manage anxiety,could also increase dementia risk. A meta-analysis of 12 studies found that benzodiazepines have a higher incidence of dementia among those who take them. They may cause vascular dementia. However,limited evidence is available to prove this. Researchers believe there needs to be more research on whether benzodiazepines are linked to dementia in older adults.
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Study subjects who had used benzodiazepines had 50 percent more dementia risk than those who did no use. The results were robust after accounting for confounding factors and pooling results over follow-up time. The study was also limited by the fact that it used the older DSM III-R criteria for dementia,which raises concerns about the validity of the results.
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Cholinesterase inhibitors
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Although the pharmacological efficacy and safety of cholinesterase inhibitions in dementia is not known,they could prove to be beneficial for those suffering from the condition. Multiple studies have evaluated their effectiveness in Alzheimer’s patients. Galantamine,Rivastigmine and Memantine were all reviewed in two recent reviews.
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One study looked at the number of Alzheimer’s patients who met the criteria to be eligible for clinical trials of these drugs. Study results showed that 10 mg of donepezil was associated with better memory than either galantamine or donepezil 5mg. However,donepezil 10 mg was associated with more severe side effects,compared to galantamine and donepezil 5 mg. These findings suggest that donepezil may be able to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.