AD Therapies

If you or your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to talk with your doctor about treatment options. Numerous prescription therapies are available, including:

Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Generally prescribed for mild-to-moderate AD, these drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Research indicates cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As AD progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

• Aricept: The #1 prescribed AD medication, Aricept is available as a regular tablet or orally disintegrating tablet, which dissolves on the tongue.
• Exelon: A once-daily pill or patch that provides a continuous release of medicine.
• Razadyne: Formerly known as Reminyl and now available as a generic drug. It is supplied as an extended release capsule.
• Cognex: The first approved cholinesterase inhibitor.

NMDA Antagonists

• Namenda: Namenda is an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe AD. It is believed to work by regulating glutamate, an important brain chemical. When produced in excessive amounts, glutamate may lead to brain cell death. Because NMDA antagonists work very differently from cholinesterase inhibitors, the two types of drugs can be prescribed in combination. Namenda’s main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe AD.

Other Prescription Approaches

• Axona: Axona is a new prescription medical food for mild-to-moderate AD. Axona works by targeting the metabolic deficiencies and imbalances associated with AD by providing an alternative energy source for brain cells. Alzheimer’s is characterized by a substantial decrease in the brain’s ability to metabolize glucose, the brain’s main fuel source. Axona is converted by the liver into ketones, which can be used by the brain as an alternative energy source, rescuing glucose deprived neurons. Axona is complementary to other approved AD therapies on the market. It is supplied in a powder form, mixed with water and consumed once daily.

Research
Most investigational news drugs for AD are focused on fighting the amyloid plaques that clutter the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Many researchers believe these amyloid plaques somehow trigger the disease process, causing brain cell death and dementia. Based on this belief, companies such as Elan, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Wyeth are working to develop anti-amyloid drugs. Industry experts estimate that we are several years away from approval of another new drug therapy for AD.