Alzheimer's Medication Precautions

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as Alzheimer's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with insidious onset. Clinically, it is characterized by generalized dementia, such as memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, impairment of visuospatial skills, executive dysfunction, and personality and behavioral changes. The etiology is still unknown.

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, existing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments can help in the management of cognitive and behavioral symptoms. In general, the goals of treatment focus on improving the patient's overall quality of life, maintaining the psychological function, controlling behavioral symptoms, and slowing or delaying symptom progression.

Commonly used drugs and precautions

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists are two classes of drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, for certain cognitive symptoms such as For memory loss, confusion, and other psychiatric deficits, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors include donepezil hydrochloride, rivastigmine, and galantamine.

The only available N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists are the transdermal formulations of memantine donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept, Aricept ODT) and rivastigmine (Exelon patch) approved for use in all stages of Alzheimer's disease. Oral rivastigmine (Ace) and galantamine (Razadyne, Razadyne ER) are both approved for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, and memantine (Namenda, Namenda XR) is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.

We often receive questions from the patient's family members: How do you take this medicine? Are there any side effects from eating it? Here is a list of some commonly used medications for your reference.

Click to Cistanche UK for Alzheimer's disease

Aricept, Aricept ODT 

Precautions:

This medication should be taken at night with a glass full of water, regardless of food. Orally disintegrating tablets should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth, followed by a full glass of water. Immediate-release tablets should not break or shatter.

Side effects: nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea. loss of appetite, insomnia

Donepezil

Precautions: Extended-release capsules should be taken at the same time each day, preferably in the morning with food and water. Other dosage forms should be taken twice daily with breakfast and dinner. The liquid formulation can be mixed with 4 ounces of fruit juice if desired. Patients should remain adequately hydrated unless otherwise instructed.

Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite

Exelon, Rivastigmine

Precautions: The patch is recommended for patients with dysphagia or severe nausea. The patch should be applied once daily to clean, dry, intact skin on the upper or lower back (which may be removed by the patient) or on the upper arm or chest, alternating daily. Capsules and oral solution, take in the morning and evening with meals.

Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite, muscle weakness

Namenda, Namenda XR

Precautions: This medication should be taken at the same time each day. Extended-release capsules can be opened and sprinkled over applesauce, but should not be split, crushed, or chewed. Memantine can be administered without regard to food. If taking the liquid dosage form, take the dose with the engraved metering device. This drug can be used alone or in combination with donepezil.

Side effects: dizziness, headache, constipation, confusion.

Traditional Chinese medicine for Alzheimer's disease

The prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease have a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, which belongs to the categories of "dementia", "dementia" and "forgetfulness" in traditional medicine. and other factors. During the development of traditional medicine in my country, the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is also constantly developing and improving. On the basis of the predecessor's symptomatic treatment, it also combines pathogenesis, pathogenesis, and external environmental factors to formulate and administer medicines. The drug pair is a combination of fixed two herbs commonly used in clinical Chinese medicine. It is the basic form of Chinese medicine in the application of compatibility.

The essential cause of Alzheimer's disease is kidney deficiency and marrow deficiency, so to treat Alzheimer's disease, tonic and strengthening is the basic therapy. At present, in the clinical research and animal experimental research on the treatment of AD with traditional Chinese medicine, Shichangpu is the most frequently used single drug. Traditional Chinese medicine is the core drug of AD treatment clinical research. 16 kinds of classic prescriptions, such as Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction, Qifuyin, Dihuang Yinzi, Huanglian Jiedu Decoction, Xixin Decoction, Jinkui Shenqi Pill, Didang Decoction, Buyang Huanwu Decoction, Yigan Powder, Yiqi Smart Decoction, etc. are AD treatment The core classic formula for clinical research. Invigorating the kidney and strengthening the spleen, nourishing blood and nourishing qi, promoting blood circulation, and removing blood stasis are the main directions of the core drugs in traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

The main lesion of Alzheimer's disease is in the cerebral cortex, which is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system with progressive cognitive impairment and memory impairment as the main clinical manifestations. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, the cerebral cortex shrinks, the brain volume shrinks, the brain sulcus widens, and the ventricles expand. The most characteristic pathological feature is senile plaques (SPs) formed by the deposition of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) outside the cerebral cortex and hippocampal neurons. They are mainly distributed in the cortex and are dense extracellular deposits. Its main component is composed of 39-43 amino acids) and abnormal aggregation of tau protein in brain neurons forms neurofibrillary tangle (NFT).

Echinacoside in Cistanche, the highest content of Cistanche phenylethanoid glycosides (PhG), can significantly increase the total protein content and total antioxidant capacity of brain tissue, reduce acetylcholinesterase activity and serum interleukin-2 (IL- 2) Content: Verbascoside(Acteoside) in Cistanche, the main component of Cistanche phenoxyethanol glycosides, has a protective effect on SH-SY5Y cytotoxicity caused by Aβ25-35, which can significantly improve cell survival, reduce cell apoptosis and the production of reactive oxygen species, and inhibit cells The release of pigment c, the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential and the clearance of caspase -3; the effects of tubulin B and echinacoside on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) -α) SH-SY5Y nerve cell apoptosis induced by SH-SY5Y has a cytoprotective effect. The above studies suggest that these monomer compounds are a good drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

For more information:ali.ma@wecistanche.com