Currently, there is no cure for dementia. According to the University of California-San Francisco, the goal of medication treatment with this population is to slow the neurodegenerative progression of the disease, address accompanying erratic or impulsive behavioral issues, and essentially prolong the quality of life for dementia sufferers for as long as possible.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
The Alzheimer's Association of Queensland defines Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride), Exelon (rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate), and Reminyl (galantamine hydrobromide) as cholinesterase inhibitors used primarily to delay the advancement of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) although some physicians will find them useful in other types of dementia. Side effects associated with these three drugs include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, muscle cramping, loss of appetite, fatigue, dizziness and nightmare activity.
N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Antagonist
The Alzheimer's Association lists Namenda (memantine) as a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist used in the moderate or severe stages of dementia. It can be used alone or with cholinesterase inhibitors with a goal to slow disease progression. Side effects associated with this drug include: headache, constipation, confusion and dizziness.
Psychopharmacological Treatments
Neuroleptic drugs are not FDA approved for the use of dementia, yet many physicians find them helpful in taming accompanying behavioral problems and psychosis. The University of Kansas lists typical neuroleptics (i.e., haloperidol) as used with extreme behavioral outbursts presenting a danger to oneself or to others. Other daily psychopharmacological options include atypical antipsychotics (i.e., risperidone, quetiapine, clozapine, and olanzapine); anxiolytics for agitation (i.e., benzodiazepines, buspirone); antidepressants (i.e., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and mood stabilizers (i.e., divalproex).
