Finding out that you or someone you know has Alzheimer’s can be very frightening. To know that this disease will cause you to eventually lose the ability to do for yourself can also be disheartening. While all this is true, getting the diagnosis of having Alzheimer’s is not the end of the world. There are many prescription drugs available that can prolong the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
Though there are many drugs that are available, the most common drugs doctors prescribe are Aricept, Exelon, and Galantamine. These drugs are used only for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease cases.
Aricept is known to decrease the loss of cognitive function. This drug is used for the mildest cases of Alzheimer’s. Exelon is used for the more advanced stage of this disease. This drug helps reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s, while improving their cognitive abilities. Galantamine improves mental function and aids behavioral and mental side effects. Galantamine’s effects last at least a year or longer.
Even though these drugs will help prolong healthy brain function, they are not guaranteed to work for every patient. In most cases, only half of Alzheimer’s patients will benefit from the drugs available. This is why it is important to always consult your doctor or physician to make sure that you are getting the correct treatment that will benefit you or your loved one.
Myers, Rice Hannah.Common Drugs that Can Fight Alzheimer’s Disease. Retrieved 10/14/09 from www.ehow.com
