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The following are the most commonly
administered drugs for the treatment of memory loss:
Tacrine (Cognex)
:Tacrine, the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment
of Alzheimer’s disease, increases the levels of acetylcholine in
the brain. It does this by blocking the action
of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for the destruction
of acetylcholine. It should be taken 4 times per day. The
following side effects have been noted; liver toxicity, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, skin rash.
Donepizel (Aricept) : Donezipal
also raises the levels of acetylcholine by inhibiting
acetylcholinesterase.
Donepezil improves the symptoms but does not slow down the
progression of Alzheimer's disease. It should be taken once
per day at night. Gastrointestinal upset is a commonly described side
effect. Other side effects include headache, generalized
pain, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of
appetite, weight loss, muscle cramping, joint pain, insomnia, and
increased frequency of urination
Rivastigmine (Exelon) : Rivastigmine
is another acetylchline booster. It is taken twice daily with meals.
Rivastigmine also carries with it the side effect of gastrointestinal
discomfort. About one-half of patients who take
rivastigmine become nauseated, and about one-third vomit at least
once, most commonly during the first few weeks of treatment as the
dose is slowly increased. Between one in five and one in four
patients lose weight during rivastigmine therapy (about 7 to 10
pounds, on average). One in six patients experiences a loss of
appetite. About one in fifty patients develops dizziness. Overall,
15% of patients (between one in seven and one in six) discontinue
therapy due to side effects.
Memantine (Akatinol) : Memantine
is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA
receptor blocker. It thus prevents harm to brain cells from excessive
activity of the chemical glutamate. The most common side effects are
fatigue, increased blood pressure, dizziness, headache, constipation,
vomiting, back pain, confusion, somnolence,
hallucination, coughing, and difficulty in breathing
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