Treatment Option for Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's - Namenda
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease of the brain and is the most common type of dementia. The term dementia is used to describe the progressive loss of cognitive, intellectual, or functional abilities. Published reports project that by 2010 more than 5.1 million people in the United States will have Alzheimer's Disease. Drugs previously available in the United States for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease are known as cholinesterase inhibitors. They work by blocking or preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that carries impulses between brain cells. These medicines are Aricept, Exelon, and Reminyl.
A new drug, Namenda (memantine HCI) was approved by the FDA in late 2003, and was available in U.S. pharmacies in January 2004. It is the first and only medication approved to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's Disease.
Namenda works differently from the other available therapies. It is believed to work by attaching to certain nerve receptors in the brain and regulating the activity of glutamate, helping to ensure that the right amount of glutamate is available. The right amount of glutamate helps create the chemical environment needed for the brain to process, store, and retrieve information.
Why should you discuss Namenda with your physician? There is is no treatment currently available that can stop the progressive changes that take place in the brain as a result of Alzheimer's Disease; however, studies show that a slower decline in mental function takes place when taking Namenda. Namenda is safe and has few side effects. The most common side effects are dizziness, confusion, headaches, and constipation.
Speak to a doctor to see if Namenda may be right for the person for whom you are caring. Once on the recommended dose, the monthly cost of Namenda ranges from $100 - $130. If you have any questions about this article, contact Linda Warner, Gero-Psych Specialist at Heartland Human Services.