Aricept and donepezil HCL in Alzheimer's disease treatment and side effects

Chemistry

Alzheimer's: The Disease & Medication

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a kind of dementia; it is, in fact, the most frequently occurring form of dementia. Alzheimer's Diseases is named for the German psychiatrist and neuropathologist, Alois Alzheimer who first described the disease over 100 years ago in 1906. Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease and those who suffer from it worsen as time goes on. Alzheimer's leads to many fatalities and as of today, a cure remains to be found. Though there are cases of dementia in young people and adults, most people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease are in their mid to late sixties. There are some statistics that predict that within forty years, less than one in hundred people around the world will suffer from Alzheimer's disease. This paper will address Alzheimer's disease from a medical perspective, providing insight as to leading pharmaceutical treatments for patients.

Though the symptoms persist throughout numerous patients, the disease affects each individual sufferer in a unique way and doctors are unable to predict with accuracy how the disease will affect or manifest in patients. The brain is the primary muscle affected by Alzheimer's disease typically causing or leading directly to death within two decades, usually less. (Jasmin et al., 2011) There is more than one type of Alzheimer's disease; furthermore, Alzheimer's disease develops in stages. Just as with other diseases, there are certain populations that are predisposed and/or are more likely than other populations to contract the disease. It is vital that physicians treating patients with Alzheimer's have full access to as much of the patient's medical history made available as early as possible in the treatment process. Medical history and genetic makeup give are the best indicators for researchers and health care professionals in their struggle to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. (Jasmin et al., 2011) Additionally, it is important for people approaching age 60 as well as people ages 60 and up, to receive physicals and other basic or general evaluations to identify signs of dementia as early as possible so as to begin treatment as early as possible, or in the cases where dementia is not present, to maintain and strengthen mental and physical health. (Jasmin et al., 2011)

There are a few medications for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Physicians prescribe these drugs with the intent of delaying or preventing symptoms from worsening and assisting in controlling some of the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's, which can be as difficult as the physical ones. (NIA, 2012) The current medications are: Razadyne, Exelon, Aricept, and Cognex. (NIA, 2012) For the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's, there are medications such as Namenda and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA). (NIA, 2012) Each drug has unique side effects and the side effects depend upon the medical history of the patient, the dosages prescribed by the patient's physician, and the patient's reactions to the medication. There are similar characteristics shared among them such as dizziness, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss/weight loss, and muscle weakness. (NIA, 2012)

In addition to medications, there are also therapeutic interventions for the patient and for the family members of the patient. Alzheimer's Disease grows more prevalent with passing time. Hopefully a combination of treatments can alleviate some of the symptoms to make the remaining years of patients and their families as easy as possible.