My 90 year old great grandmother is amazingly fit for her age. She goes up and down stairs, walks well and even plays the piano. She was diagnosed however with dementia a few years back, and slowly, we've been noticing major symptoms that are just ... scary. I remember catching a glimpse of a print ad of a new medicine in the market, that specifically slows down the progression of symptoms. Would anyone know the name of this medicine, or have any other suggestions that could help her live a better life inspite of the dementia ?
Thanks for all your suggestions.
2006-07-19 18:40:25 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
First, let me say how sorry I am that your great grandmother has Alzheimer's disease. There are a few drugs that slow the progression of AD. The most common and most studied drug is Aricept. Aricept is the market leader and is the best for symptomatic treatment of AD since there is no cure or reversible medication for AD. Another drug that is often used as add on to Aricept after 6 months to two years of treatment is Namenda. It is best to get your great grandmother diagnosed ASAP so she can receive the benefits of Aricept and conserve her cognition, function, and behavior for as long as possible.
2006-07-19 18:57:45 · answer #1 · answered by dbryant1977 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are so many medicines, and all of them slow down the symptoms. Unfortunately they don't work on the cause.
My dad is on Aricept and Namenda and also on an experimental drug which has no name (he's part of a group study).
The Alzheimer's Association website lists all the drugs.
My dad was literally put on Aricept the day of his diagnosis. I wonder why they waited with your grandma?
2006-07-20 08:57:00 · answer #2 · answered by Gevera Bert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is an Alzheimers drug called Exelon, it is made by the pharmaceutical company Novartis.
Try www.novartis.com for more information.
Hope this helps.
2006-07-19 19:00:55 · answer #3 · answered by TL 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋