Dementia can have devastating effects. Dementia is not a specific illness but a group of symptoms that affects the intellectual and social abilities severely enough to interfere with a person’s daily living. Symptoms often include memory loss, difficulty communicating, personality changes, paranoia, agitation, hallucinations, difficulty with motor functions and coordination, and inability to learn or remember new information. Physicians often prescribe medications to help control symptoms and prolong independence.
Donepezil
Physicians commonly prescribe donepezil for dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Donepezil belongs to a class of medications known as cholinesterase inhibitors, which helps improve mental function by increasing certain naturally made chemicals in the brain.
Donepezil will not cure Alzheimer’s disease but may help to control the symptoms. Donepezil comes as a tablet or an orally disintegrating tablet most commonly taken once daily at bedtime with or without food.
According to the National Institutes of Health, side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, frequent urination, muscle cramps, pain, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, nervousness, depression, confusion, changes in behavior, abnormal dreams and discoloration of the skin.
In rare cases, serious side effects may occur including fainting, slow heartbeat, black or tarry stools, red blood in stool, bloody vomit, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, inability to control urination, lower back pain, fever, seizures and chest pain. Alert your physician immediately if any of these side effects occur.
Memantine
Memantine is commonly prescribed to treat dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine belongs to a class of medications known as NMDA receptor antagonists. Memantine helps decrease abnormal activity in the brain.
Memantine does not cure or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but it can help people with dementia think more clearly and perform daily activities more easily. Memantine comes as a tablet taken by mouth once or twice a day with or without food.
Side effects may include extreme tiredness, dizziness, confusion, headache, sleepiness, constipation, vomiting, pain and coughing. The National Institutes of Health warns that serious side effects could include shortness of breath and hallucinations. If so, alert your physician immediately.
Rivastigmine
Physicians often prescribe rivastigmine to treat dementia in people with Alzheimer’s disease as well as Parkinson’s disease. Rivastigmine is another medication in the class of cholinesterase inhibitors and it helps increase the natural chemicals in the brain to diminish Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Rivastigmine comes as a capsule or a solution and patients commonly take medications twice a day with meals in the morning and evening. Rivastigmine may improve the ability to think and improve memory, but it does not cure dementia.
Side effects of rivastigmine may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn or indigestion, stomach pain, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, gas, weakness, dizziness, headache, extreme fatigue, tremor or worsening tremor and increased sweating.
There is a potential for severe side effects such as fainting, black and tarry stools, bloody vomit, depression, seizures, aggressive behavior, hallucinations and uncontrolled movements or muscle spasms. Patients should alert their physician immediately if experiencing any of these side effects.
