Which Dementia Medications are right for your Loved one?Which Dementia Medications are right for your Loved one?
Which Dementia Medicines Should Your loved one Use?
There are many different dementia medications on market. But how do you choose the right one? Continue reading to find out about the top drugs. Rivastigmine (Memantine), Donepezil, Benzodiazepines, and Donepezil are just a few. Here’s a rundown 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.
Rivastigmine
The Alzheimer’s Society finances research into new drugs. Studies are being conducted to see if rivastigmine can be used in dementia treatment. Common drugs are being evaluated for their anti-Alzheimer effects in some studies. Rivastigmine, available as a patch or oral capsule, has been shown not to cause side effects like other anti-Alzheimer’s medication.
It is important for the patient to take rivastigmine on a regular schedule. Rivastigmine should be taken with a meal every day. It is recommended to start at a lower dose and increase it gradually. Patients shouldn’t skip any doses and should notify their doctor if they do miss one. Patients must inform their doctor and pharmacist about any medication allergies they have or unusual reactions.
Memantine
Memantine use and dementia are directly linked. Although this medication is often prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, it should not be used for the same purpose. This drug can cause liver or kidney problems, as well as seizures. Memantine can interact with other medications, including herbal and complementary medicines. To understand the risks as well as the benefits of memantine, you should read the manufacturer’s information leaflet.
Memantine is taken daily. It can be taken with or without food. For best results, it must be taken on schedule and with a glass of water. It should be taken regularly, at the same time every 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.
Donepezil
A doctor may prescribe Donepezil as an antipsychotic medication for patients with dementia. You should take a single daily dose, usually five mg, and it should not to be chewed or broken up. It is prescribed as a daily pill and should be taken in the same dose at the same time each day. Donepezil must be taken exactly as prescribed for at least one month before being evaluated for clinical response. Side effects should be closely monitored and treated accordingly.
Donepezil is an approved acetylcholinesterase inhibition for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It is a non-invasive prescription drug. It is usually used to improve cognitive functions, reduce symptoms and delay institutionalization. The drug is approved to treat mild-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. However, there have been some benefits for patients with Lewy bodies dementia.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, commonly prescribed to manage anxiety, could also increase dementia risk. A meta-analysis of 12 researches found that people who use benzodiazepines are at higher risk for dementia. They may cause vascular dementia. However, limited evidence is available to prove this. Research is still needed to determine if benzodiazepines can cause dementia in older people.
The risk of developing dementia in those who took benzodiazepines was 50 percent higher than that of those who didn’t use them. After taking into account confounding factors and pooling data over the course of follow-up, the results were robust. 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.
Cholinesterase inhibitors
While the pharmacological effectiveness of cholinesterase inhibitors in dementia cannot be determined yet, it may prove to be beneficial to patients suffering from the condition. Various studies have examined their effectiveness in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Recent reviews of these drugs examined the safety and efficacy of galantamine and rivastigmine as well as memantine and bortezomib.
One study examined the number Alzheimer’s disease patients that met the criteria for participation in clinical trials. Dopeezil 10mg was found to have a higher memory score than galantamine 5mg or galantamine. 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.