Are you looking for effective medications for your Alzheimer’s? There’s no particular cure for Alzheimer’s but a lot of medications have been introduced to manage symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. These drugs can control the progression of disease.
FDA has approved specific medications to be used in Alzheimer’s disease. So, let’s dive in and see the right medicines for you and your loved ones.
Medications To Manage Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease damages the brain cells leading to symptoms like memory loss, lack of thinking skills, etc. The medications used to manage symptoms do not cease the loss of nerve cells. These drugs are designed to help healthy nerve cells more efficiently.
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are the conditions related to memory and thinking. Cholinesterase Inhibitors are the most common drugs given for such conditions. Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors prevent the breakage of the crucial chemical messenger, Acetylcholine, responsible for learning and memory.
Glutamate regulators and NMDA antagonists are also prescribed along with AChe Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease.
1- Donepezil (AChe Inhibitors)
Donepezil is prescribed for the treatment of all stages of Alzheimer’s disease. It prevents the breakdown of Acetylcholine in the brain. Donepezil comes in a tablet form and should be taken by mouth. It is usually taken once a day or as prescribed by your doctor.
2- Rivastigmine (AChe Inhibitors)
Rivastigmine is given for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It can also be prescribed as a Rivastigmine patch for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s. This drug manages the symptoms by avoiding the breakage of both Acetylcholine and butyrylcholine. Rivastigmine comes in capsule and liquid forms taken by mouth.
Rivastigmine is usually taken twice a day with meals or as consulted by your neurologist.
3- Galantamine (AChe Inhibitors)
Another FDA approved drug used for Alzheimer’s disease is Galantamine. It is designed to treat symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s by stimulating nicotinic receptors to release more Acetylcholine. Galantamine comes in a tablet, capsule, and liquid form to consume by mouth. It is taken twice a day with meals or as written in your prescription.
4-Benzgalantamine
This is a pro drug of Glantamine and is a Cholinesterase inhibitor. In July 2024, it was approved by FDA to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Benzgalantamine improve the thinking and remembring ability or slowdown the loss of these abilities in people with Alzheimer’s . This is available in tablet form and patient can taken it with or without food twice daily.Take plenty of liquids when you are taking this medicine.
5- Memantine (NMDA Antagonists)
Memantine is a glutamate regulator prescribed to improve various symptoms like reasoning, memory, language etc. Memantine is approved for managing conditions of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. It helps to slow down the decline of thinking skills by protecting nerve cells.
Memantine is available as an extended-release capsule, tablet, and in liquid form. It can be taken once or twice a day or as prescribed by your doctor.
6- Donepezil & Memantine (NMDA Antagonists)
Donepezil & Memantine is the combination of AChe Inhibitors and glutamate regulators to treat symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. It prevents the breakdown of Acetylcholine and blocks the toxic effects of excessive glutamate. The dosage of this combination will be designed by your neurologist according to your health.
Non-cognitive Symptoms
Non-cognitive symptoms include the psychological and behavioural symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease not only affect the memory and thinking but also brings behavioural and psychological conditions. These symptoms include sleep deprivation, delusions, hallucinations, and agitation.
FDA has approved a few medications for non-cognitive symptoms but it’s important to start non-drug strategies before. The medicines used in non-cognitive conditions are given below.
1-Suvorexant
Suvorexant is an Orexin receptor antagonist used to treat insomnia. A study shows that Suvorexant can also be used for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. It inhibits the functions of Orexin which is responsible for the sleep-wake cycle. Suvorexant is declared as safer medication for sleep deprivation as compared to others like benzodiazepines.
2- Brexpiprazole
Brexpiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic drug. It targets the dopamine and serotonin chemical pathways in the brain. Brexpiprazole is the only FDA-approved antipsychotic medication to be used for Alzheimer’s disease yet. Brexpiprazole treats agitation during Alzheimer’s in patients, usually taken once a day.
Medications To Change Alzheimer’s Progression
The causes behind Alzheimer’s disease are still unknown, so it is important to slow the development of the disease as much as possible. The following medications are used to slow down the Alzheimer’s progression in patients.
Anti-Amyloid Treatment
It is noticed that the main issue of Alzheimer’s disease is the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques which leads to irregular amyloid activity. Hence, anti amyloid medications are introduced to clear the amyloids from the brain.
Let’s move along and learn about the FDA approved medications to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s.
1- Donanemab
Donanemab treats mild Alzheimer’s disease by removing the beta-amyloid plaques from the brain. It is an anti-amyloid IV infusion therapy delivered every four weeks. FDA approved that Donanemab can be used to treat early Alzheimer’s disease along with people living with MCI (mild cognitive impairment).
Your doctor will start with a low dose of Donanemab for 3 weeks and then the dose will be increased gradually.
Donanemab was the 3rd therapy to demonstrate the removal of plaques from the brain can be beneficial for treating Alzheimer’s disease.
2- Lecanemab
Lecanemab works similarly by removing the beta-amyloid plaques from the brain in the patients of mild Alzheimer’s disease. It comes as a liquid solution to be infused intravenously by an expert in the healthcare environment. Lecanemab is delivered to the patients every two weeks.
Lecanemab was the 2nd therapy to declare that removing beta-amyloid plaques from the brain reduces functional decline in the early stage of Alzheimer’s.
Drugs In Development For Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a very confusing disease as nobody’s still able to recognize its causes. Although a lot of researchers are working on finding medications to deal with Alzheimer’s disease. It is said that the new medications will manage the symptoms or alter the process of disease.
In 2024, 164 clinical trials progressed in which the experts were studying 127 drugs for Alzheimer’s. In a study of SNIFF (study of nasal insulin in the fight against forgetfulness), researchers examined whether an insulin in a nasal spray can improve memory.
Bottom Line
There are a lot of medications for Alzheimer’s disease that have been introduced. You have got the verified and FDA approved drugs to use in Alzheimer’s. You should always see a neurologist before starting any medications in Alzheimer’s disease.
At Neurology One, we are dedicated to providing expert guidance and personalized treatment options to support you or your loved one through every step of the Alzheimer’s journey. Don’t wait—schedule your appointment with Neurology One today and take the first step toward better care.
