It is important to remember that currently there is no cure for Alzheimers disease and that treatment today only involves managing some of the symptoms of Alzheimers disease and slowing down the progression of the illness. Currently the FDA has approved a handful of medications that can help treat Alzheimers disease and that may slow down the progression of this illness. Current medications that are approved by the FDA include:
- donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept)
- rivastigmine (Exelon)
- galantamine hydrobromide (Razadyne)
- memantine HCI (Namenda)
To determine the best medication for your loved one, you will need to visit a health care professional, as different medications can be used at different stages of the illness.
Fortunately, research is continually being done on new drug therapies that are designed to control the symptoms of Alzheimers disease and to slow down and reduce many of the behavioral symptoms. Research is also being done on new medications that may be able to prevent or stop the disease with further development. Presently, research is also in support of behavioral management strategies, education, counseling and support for individuals with dementia as a way to help boost cognitive function and slow down the progression of the disease. The role of an active and engaging caregiver can be quite important in slowing down the progression of Alzheimers.
There are also a number of FDA sponsored, government and private trials that are being conducted on those with Alzheimers disease in hopes for additional treatment advances. For more information on these trials and on getting involved with these medical trials, visit your healthcare professional or the Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral Center.