Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, ceramic brain disorder that slowly destroys a person’s memory and thinking ability, creating an eventual inability to perform common daily tasks. It usually affects older adults, though currently, there is no cure; some medications may help alleviate symptoms and achieve desired improvement in the quality of life of patients living with the disease. At MedicineCounter, we offer several medications that can help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, including Donepezil and Memantine. In this blog, we will discuss how these medications work and outline the benefits associated with them.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, which is the overall term for memory loss and the cognitive decline enough to interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily activities. It begins slowly and worsens over time, affecting parts in the brain responsible for thought, memory, and language. Typical symptoms include:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Making plans or solving problems is difficult
• Confusion with time or place
•  erosions in understanding of visual images and spatial relationships
• Talking or writing gibberish
• Placing things in unusual locations and unable to retrace the steps
• Poor judgment or loss of judgment
• Avoiding work and social activities
• Changes in mood and personality

The Role of Medications in Dealing with Alzheimer’s

As identified, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However, there are medications available to deal with its symptoms, this providing a better quality of life for the patient. Donepezil and Memantine are two of the common medications prescribed for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Donepezil: Boosts memory and thinking

Donepezil, also known as Aricept, is a cholinesterase inhibitor. This means it prevents the breakdown of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine involved in memory and judgment. This increases the level of acetylcholine at the synapse, enhancing the passing of nerve impulses, which overall results in a better memory and cognition.

Some benefits of donepezil include: 

• Cognition and Memory improved
• All stages of AD are managed
• Taken once daily, usually at bedtime

Common side effects to Donepezil include nausea, diarrhea, sleeplessness, muscle cramps, and fatigue. Take Donepezil as your healthcare provider has prescribed it to get the best possible effect; this minimizes side effects.

Memantine: Protection of Brain Cells

Memantine, branded as Namenda, acts an NMDA receptor antagonist. It does this by modulating the activity of another neurotransmitter that might be involved in learning and memory—glutamate. By controlling the activity of glutamate, memantine shields the brain cells from over-stimulation of the said cells and ultimately prevents the damage.

Benefits of Memantine:

• Enhances daily functioning and cognitive performance
• Taken during moderate to severe stages of AD
• Can be taken alone or with other AD drugs
• Some major side effects of memantine include dizziness, headache, confusion, and constipation. It should also be taken exactly as directed by your health professional.

Combining Drugs for Better Results

In some cases, doctors may prescribe both Donepezil and Memantine to be taken simultaneously. Combination therapy may do more in the treatment of Alzheimer’s symptoms than the effects of each drug taken alone, given that the two work through different mechanisms. Many studies have established that the combination of the two medications resulted in significant improvements in cognitive functions and daily activities as compared to taking one of them alone.

Early Diagnosis and Treatment: It Truly Matters

The key to the successful management of Alzheimer’s lies in early diagnosis and treatment. If you or your dear one is suffering from the symptoms of this disease, you should consult a doctor without any wastage of time. A healthcare provider may do some tests to diagnose the illness and recommend an appropriate treatment plan including Donepezil and Memantine for the drug treatments.

Alzheimer’s Patient and Caregiver Support

Living with Alzheimer’s can be challenging, but there is help along the way. That’s why at MedicineCounter, we are dedicated to providing not only the medicines necessary for treating Alzheimer’s but also helping and supporting resources for our patients and their carers. We believe that as this is managed in collaboration, we can improve quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones by bringing some hope into the future.

Although Alzheimer’s presents many challenges, with proper treatment and support, most patients can learn to manage their symptoms and enjoy good quality of life. Donepezil and memantine remain two of the several medications available to play very important roles in this process and help people living with the disease to have hope and functionality. When a loved one receives that difficult diagnosis, at MedicineCounter, we want to be there for you through it all with the medications and resources needed to help along the way.