Treatments may focus on the following:
1) Slowing the progression of symptoms such as memory loss.
2) Addressing behavior changes such as depression and aggression.
3) Helping to relieve other symptoms, such as sleep problems.
The different medicines your doctor may prescribe to treat AD symptoms are listed below. It's important to remember that these medicines do not stop the disease. They may not work for every person or may help for only a short time.
Medicines for memory
1) Cholinesterase inhibitors have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat all stages of AD. Rivastigmine and galantamine can treat mild to moderate AD. Donepezil is approved to treat mild to severe AD. Typical side effects of these drugs include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
2) Memantine is approved to treat moderate to severe AD. It may be used alone or in addition to one of the cholinesterase inhibitors listed above. It may cause side effects such as dizziness and headaches.
Medicines for behavior
Depending on the behavioral problems and the severity of the problems, your doctor may also choose to prescribe drugs such as pain relievers, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, sleep medicines, or antipsychotics.
Other treatments include cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation, sunshine therapy, music therapy, aromatherapy and recall therapy.