Currently, there is no Alzheimer's treatment that can stop or cure Alzheimer's disease. However, medications are available that can help with related symptoms, such as problems with memory or those related to behavior. Medications used in Alzheimer's treatment include tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. These medicines only work to prevent some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited period of time.
Treatment for Alzheimer's: An Overview
Alzheimer's disease is a slow disease that starts with mild memory problems and ends with severe brain damage. The course the disease takes and how fast changes occur vary from person to person. On average, patients with
Alzheimer's disease live from 8 to 10 years after they are diagnosed, although some people may live with the condition for as long as 20 years.
Currently, there is no Alzheimer's treatment that can stop Alzheimer's disease. However, there are Alzheimer's treatment medications available to help with related symptoms.
Alzheimer's Treatment for Mild to Moderate Disease
Alzheimer's Treatment for Moderate to Severe Disease
Donepezil is also approved to treat severe Alzheimer's disease. Another drug,
memantine (
Namenda®), has also been approved to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, although it also is limited in its effects. Combining memantine with other Alzheimer's treatment medications may be more effective than any single therapy. One controlled clinical trial found that patients receiving donepezil plus memantine had better cognition and other functions than patients receiving donepezil alone.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print