Until recently, the only treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease was to help relieve symptoms. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. But the good news is medications are being studied that may help in all stages of the disease and in different ways.
The most used Alzheimer’s disease medications are donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Exelon) and rivastigmine (Razadyne). These drugs help certain chemicals in the brain work better. They may slow the disease process (i.e., death of brain cells), but they don’t stop it. As more cells die, Alzheimer’s disease continues to progress. These drugs may be used in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are studying if these drugs will work in people with severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Memantine (Namenda) is a medication used in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine lowers other brain chemicals that cause some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It may be used by itself or with other Alzheimer’s disease medications.
The newest drug that’s available is aducanumab (Aduhelm). It’s used in patients with mild cognitive decline and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s dementia. At first glance, it seems aducanumab gives new hope for Alzheimer’s patients and their families. It is the first drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease itself, not just the symptoms. Aducanumab finds and destroys certain plaques that build up in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. Learn about what goes on in the brain with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave “accelerated” approval to aducanumab. But more studies will be done over the next six years. Scientists will find out if removing the plaques lessens the symptoms or slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Final FDA approval will be considered after these studies are done.
There are important possible side effects with aducanumab. To help, doctors will monitor patients closely. A specialty pharmacy can also work with your care team. They’ll help make sure clinical guidelines and scientific standards are followed as we learn more about this drug.
All medications have risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor about which treatment is right for you.
Doctors may prescribe antidepressants. Some patients may also benefit from talk therapy. Part of a treatment plan should also include activities that keep the mind active and help with memory and thinking skills. Learn more about living with Alzheimer's disease.
CVS Specialty® and Coram® CVS Specialty Infusion Services (Coram) have partnered to dispense and administer Alzheimer’s therapy to patients. Choose pickup or contactless delivery of your infusion therapy and supplies to your door. Find out more about CVS Specialty here.
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