Despite the latest developments of pharmacological companies and research by scientists, there are still diseases that cannot be completely cured. Alzheimer's medicine has not yet been invented, therefore, the therapeutic complex includes drugs that reduce the severity of symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
What is this disease?
Before deciding which medicines for Alzheimer's treatment can be prescribed to a patient, it is worth briefly describing the disease itself and its characteristic symptoms.
This pathology was first described by a German doctor in 1906. Alois Alzheimer, a practicing psychiatrist, observed a patient with a neurodegenerative disease, with symptoms progressing steadily. These studies have made it possible to differentiate the disease from other forms of dementia. Another name for the pathology is senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
Typically, such irreversible changes occur in people of an older age group - after 50 years. However, according to the latest statistics, it can be noted that the disease was significantly "younger", cases of Alzheimer's disease in 40-year-olds were recorded. In the world there are more than 40 million patients with this diagnosis, and, according to WHO forecasts, this figure will only grow every year.
So far, it has not been possible to establish the exact cause of the development of this disease, so even the latest drugs for Alzheimer's disease can not completely cure this pathology.
Versions and Preparations
Based on several hypotheses of scientists about the causes of impaired brain functioning, the principles of therapy for this disease have been developed.
One of the versions of neurodegenerative disorders is the lack of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. He takes an active part in the transmission of nerve impulses between brain cells, and its deficiency provokes the development of pathology. Based on this version, medications were developed to increase the level of the neurotransmitter and thereby inhibit the progression of the disease. However, during clinical trials it was found that these drugs from Alzheimer's only reduce the severity of the clinical picture, but in no way affect the rate of development of the disease itself.
Today, the main version of the occurrence of violations is considered to be amyloid. While conducting research, doctors found that patients with this diagnosis have amyloid beta deposits in the brain tissue, which leads to the development of the disease. But despite years of research in this area, it has not been possible to establish why amyloid accumulates in the brain tissue. Accordingly, it is not yet possible to develop pharmacological preparations that would impede this process. Even the few experimental drugs that are known today have not passed clinical trials that could confirm their effectiveness in treating this disease.
Recently, Finnish scientists named a drug that provokes Alzheimer's disease. It turned out to be a drug used in the treatment of epilepsy, sodium valproate. It has been observed that it negatively affects memory and other functions of the human brain.
Another hypothesis is a hereditary predisposition. It was found that if the family was diagnosed with senile dementia to one person, then with a high degree of probability such a disease can be diagnosed in his children or grandchildren. It is impossible to influence chromosomal abnormalities, but in this case, doctors recommend adhering to the principles of a healthy lifestyle and conduct active intellectual activity. Thus, the risk of pathology can be reduced, but this also does not guarantee a one hundred percent result.
What to do?
It must be remembered that suitable medications for Alzheimer's can be prescribed by a qualified specialist. Self-selection of drugs can only aggravate the patient's condition and lead to his death. An important role in the effectiveness of therapy is played by timely diagnosis. The earlier the disease was discovered, the more likely it was to slow down the development of pathology and improve the patient's quality of life.
Only a comprehensive approach will help slow down the decline in cognitive functions and behavioral disorders. The help and care of relatives and the creation of safe conditions for a person with such a disease are also very important. In some cases, doctors recommend using the services of professional carers, because such a patient will not be able to independently take the prescribed medications on time.
Donepezil ("Aricept")
What medications for Alzheimer's will be prescribed depends on the stage of the disease. To increase the acetylcholine content, Aricept may be prescribed. It is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that helps slow down the breakdown of the neurotransmitter and improve cholinergic transmission.
Its purpose is justified at any stage of the development of the disease, as it allows to improve cognitive functions and reduce the severity of symptoms.
Rivastigmine (Exelon)
The active substance of the Exelon preparation is rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the destruction of acetylcholine. It increases the level of the neurotransmitter in the structures of the hippocampus and normalizes the patient's cognitive functions. Rivastigmine also slows the formation of beta-precursor of amyloid plaques.
The medicine is available in the form of capsules, oral solution and transdermal patch. The latter option is most preferable in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as it allows you to do without monitoring the administration of tablets in a strictly prescribed dosage and at a certain time.
The following adverse reactions may occur while taking the drug:
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- stomach ache;
- dyspepsia;
- allergic manifestations;
- drowsiness;
- decreased appetite;
- depression and insomnia;
- tremor.
In the presence of such effects on the background of the use of the medication, consult a doctor about the advisability of further use of the drug.
Absolute contraindications to the prescription of this medicine from Alzheimer's are the period of gestation and lactation, individual intolerance of the active substance.
Galantamine (Reminyl)
In Alzheimer's disease, this medicine has the same effect as the drugs described above: filling the deficiency of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and preventing the formation of amyloid plaques on brain cells.
The active substance was isolated from Voronov's snowdrop by Soviet scientists in 1951. Today, it is part of many vital drugs, including Reminyl, which can be prescribed for Alzheimer's disease.
Available in the form of tablets with a concentration of 4, 8, and 12 mg of the active substance. Covered with a whitish film membrane, each has an engraving indicating the amount of active component. Also available in capsule form with 8.16.24 mg of active ingredient.
It is not recommended for use in patients with hypersensitivity to galantamine, as well as with severe violations of the liver and kidneys. Studies on the effect of the drug on pregnant and lactating women have not been conducted, therefore, during these periods, the medicine can be prescribed only in case of emergency.
"Reminyl" is prescribed for patients with mild to moderate severity of senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
Memantine
Also, the drug "Memantine" refers to substitution therapy drugs. It is produced under various trade names and belongs to the group of neurotropic drugs. It has a neuroprotective and antispastic effect.
"Memantine" helps to normalize the patient's mental activity and motor functions. It is prescribed for mild and moderate stages of pathology.
It is contraindicated in patients with impaired renal function and with hypersensitivity to the active substance of the drug. Dizziness, digestive upset, and other adverse reactions while taking the drug are possible.
What drugs with Alzheimer's from the list will be most effective in a particular case, only a doctor can decide. You can not take several drugs with the same therapeutic effect at the same time, this can lead to serious consequences, even death.
We deliberately do not give dosages of drugs that are prescribed by prescription, since only a specialist can do this, taking into account the patient's condition and the characteristics of the disease
Antidepressants and antipsychotics
Drugs recommended as part of symptomatic treatment are also selected individually for each person. Such drugs can minimize and sometimes completely eliminate conditions such as depression and psychotic disorders, which quite often occur in people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
These include antidepressants and antipsychotics. The first ones help to improve the psychoemotional state of a person, the drug of choice is Tianeptin. But tricyclic antidepressants are not recommended, in the elderly they can increase the symptoms of the underlying disease.
Of the antipsychotics, Sonapax, Aminazine, and Tizercin can be used. They have a calming effect, relieve spasticity and normalize sleep. Despite the fact that medicines can be purchased without a prescription, they cannot be treated independently. Each has its own contraindications and side effects and may increase the symptoms of senile dementia.
Other symptomatic therapy drugs
In addition, according to the doctorβs decision, amino acids and nootropics, calcium channel blockers and drugs that improve blood circulation in the vessels of the brain, as well as ginkgo biloba extract and other folk remedies, can be prescribed. Most commonly used:
- Piribedil;
- "Actovegin";
- "Glycine";
- "Vinpocetine";
- "Phenotropil";
- Nimodipine.
Conclusion
Perhaps in the coming years, a cure for Alzheimer's will be found that will save thousands of lives of patients with this diagnosis. In the meantime, it remains only to rely on drugs that can slow its development and improve the patient's quality of life.