The number of people afflicted with Alzheimer's disease in the United States is expected to swell to 13.2 million. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease according to the the Alzheimer's Society. Present medications can only reduce or delay the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms. All Alzheimer's medications, however, carry a risk of side effects.
Headaches and Dizziness
Donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are medications used to treat cognitive function symptoms that typically cause dizziness, according to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. Anti-anxiety drugs such as alprazolam, diazepam and triazolam may cause dizziness as well as headaches.
Certain antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine cause dizziness, according to the AARP.org. Olanzapine can also cause headaches. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and doxepin can cause dizziness as well.
Fatigue and Arrhythmia
Rivastigmine and donepezil are medications for cognitive function symptoms that cause fatigue. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, doxepin and trimipramine cause arrhythmia. Rivastigmine is a cognitive function medication that can cause fatigue and also induce fainting spells.
Gastrointestinal and Urinary Problems
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, such as citalopram and paroxetine are antidepressant medications used to treat Alzheimer's patients. These can cause constipation and loose bowel movement. In addition, tricyclic antidepressants can affect urination and cause constipation, according to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
Insomnia and Drowsiness
SSRIs used to treat Alzheimer's patients such as sertraline, fluvoxamine, and escitalopram have been known to cause insomnia though they can sometimes cause mild drowsiness, according to the AARP.org. Alprazolam is an anti-anxiety medication that can also cause drowsiness in the Alzheimer's patient.
Insomnia can be a common side effect of antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone. On the other hand, antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone can cause drowsiness.
Weight Fluctuations
Rivastigmine is used to treat cognitive function symptoms and causes weight gain, according to the Alzheimer's Society. Galantamine and donepezil are also cognitive function medications, but they carry the risk for weight loss. Antipsychotic medications such as haloperidol, risperidone and olanzapine cause weight fluctuations, according to the AARP.org.
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