Dementia - Medications

SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS

Doctors use medicines to treat dementia in the following ways:

  • To correct an underlying condition causing dementia, such as thyroid replacement for hypothyroidism, vitamins for lack of vitamin B12, or antibiotics for infections
  • To maintain mental functioning for as long as possible when dementia cannot be reversed
  • To prevent worsening of vascular dementia from future small strokes in people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol
  • To manage depression, insomnia, hallucinations, agitation, and aggression

Medication Choices

Doctors may prescribe the following medicines to help maintain mental function:

  • Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept),galantamine (Reminyl), and rivastigmine (Exelon). These were developed to treatAlzheimer's disease, but they may be tried in otherdementias to maintain mental function. Studies indicate that this class ofdrugs holds promise for the treatment of people with vascular dementia. Bothdonepezil and galantamine have been shown to improve mental function with fewside effects.7 Rivastigmine was also beneficial forpeople withdementia with Lewy bodies orParkinson's disease, but side effects such as nausea,vomiting, and weight loss were common.8 At present,medicines can only slow, not stop, the progress of dementia. It is not clearhow long these medicines will work. They may only stop the progress of dementiafor a short time.
  • Memantine (Namenda). This is a type of medicine thatcan slow the late stages of Alzheimer's disease. It may also benefit those withmild to moderate vascular dementia.8 More studies areunder way.

The doctor may prescribe medicines for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, since these conditions are risk factors for vascular dementia.20 These drugs cannot reverse existing dementia, but they may prevent future strokes and heart disease that can lead to further brain damage. For more information, see the topics High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), High Cholesterol, and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

Medicines that doctors may use to help control mood or behavior problems include:

  • Antidepressants to treat depression, which iscommon in dementia. They must be used with caution, because they can causedelirium in people with dementia. Antidepressants thathave the fewest side effects in people with dementia are theselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), suchas fluoxetine (Prozac, for example) and citalopram (Celexa).9
  • Medicines such as risperidone (Risperdal) orolanzapine (Zyprexa), called antipsychotic drugs. Doctors may use these totreat symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, aggression, sleep problems, firmlyheld false beliefs (delusions), and hallucinations. Antipsychotic drugs are notapproved by the FDA for the treatment of dementia. Studies of people withpsychosis due to dementia who were treated with these medicines found anincreased risk of death. Discuss this risk with your doctor before taking thesemedicines.

What To Think About

Rivastigmine (Exelon) can now be given through a skin patch. Skin patches release medicine into the blood at a steady level and may reduce side effects. And it's easier for caregivers to make sure a person is taking the medicine properly when the person uses a skin patch.

The medicines risperidone (Risperdal) and olanzapine (Zyprexa) have been found to reduce behavior problems and psychosis in people with dementia.8 However, these and similar drugs have some known risks:

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a public health advisory stating that people with dementia who useantipsychotics may die sooner than those who don't use these drugs. Examples ofthese antipsychotics include haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa),quetiapine (Seroquel), and risperidone (Risperdal).
  • The makers ofRisperdal have issued a warning that older adults taking this medicine may havea slightly higher risk of stroke.

Several new medicines have been studied, including oxiracetam and pentoxifylline. These medicines are experimental and have not yet been rigorously studied for dementias other than Alzheimer's.

Studies have found daily use of SSRIs may increase the risk of bone fracture in adults over age 50. Talk to your doctor about this risk before taking an SSRI.21

FDA advisory about antidepressants. The FDA has issued an advisory to patients, families, and health professionals to closely monitor for signs of suicidal behavior in adults and children taking antidepressants. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.

The FDA also advises that people taking antidepressants be observed for increases in anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, insomnia, impulsivity, hostility, and mania. The FDA has not recommended that people stop using antidepressants but simply to monitor those taking the medications and, if concerns arise, to contact a doctor.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: June 17, 2009
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology

1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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