Medicines used in Alzheimer's disease, Benefits, Side effects and alternative therapies:

              

 medicines used to treat Alzheimer's disease in this article mention all about the medication and other treatments of Alzheimer's disease. It explains how these drugs work, why they are given, what their side effects are and what their alternative therapies are. In addition to Alzheimer's disease, there are many other causes of memory loss.

Medicine use in Alzheimer's disease:

Colin esters inhibitors:

·         The Donepezil

·         Galantamine

·         Rivastigmine

·         Galantamine is not available in Pakistan.

There is no significant difference between these drugs. These usually affect these symptoms, such as memory loss, loss of interest in things, and anxiety. These drugs do not completely cure the disease, but some researchers believe that they can slow down the progression of the disease to some extent. The following three drugs of this group are licensed in the UK for the treatment of this disease.

Benefits of these drugs:

They can improve memory, especially remembering new information or helping to remember the first events that come to mind. They also have other benefits such as being more aware of the mind or increasing interest in things. Some people find that their mood is improving and they start doing things again that they have stopped doing. It may take a few months for the condition to improve or for the disease to slow down.

Side effects:

These medications can also have these side effects.

·         Feeling nauseous

·         Dysentery

·         Loss of appetite

·         Tension in the muscles

·         Insomnia or excessive dreaming

These side effects can be alleviated to some extent by reducing the dose and then gradually increasing it, and not using it after meals. These effects usually begin to subside after a few weeks and disappear if the medication is stopped.

Further details on these can be obtained from the doctor and other sources.

How do these medicines work?

 Acetylcholine is a chemical that acts as a messenger in the parts of the brain that are associated with memory. In Alzheimer's disease, the brain cells that are related to memory begin to die and this chemical is gradually depleted. These drugs increase the amount of this chemical in the brain which helps in reducing the symptoms of the disease.

How effective are these medicines?

 About fifty to sixty percent of patients who use these drugs experience a slight decrease in symptoms over a period of six months or their condition does not worsen. But there is no consensus that these benefits are temporary or that these drugs work for a long time. If you do not feel well after the first few months, these medications should be discontinued. The UK's National Institute of Clinical Excellence has ruled that these drugs are not as effective in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease as they should be and should be given only when the disease is moderate to severe. Although many people do not agree with this decision.

How to use the medicine:

These medications are started in small doses and gradually increased according to the doctor's instructions. To get the most out of these medications, it is important to use them regularly. Don't worry if there are some painful effects, in the beginning, often these effects diminish over time and disappear in a few weeks.

               

How long should I take this medicine?

 These medications are initially given for three to four months. If they do not show any benefit in three or four months, then it should be stopped on the advice of a doctor. If they seem to benefit, then so far there is no agreement on how long they should be given. A test for Alzheimer's disease is the Mini-Mental State Examination. It is currently said that these drugs should be used only when Alzheimer's disease is of moderate severity, ie the score of this test is between ten and twenty. But there is some evidence that some patients benefit from mild to severe illnesses.

Some blood tests and brain scans may be done before starting this medication to see if there is any other reason for your memory impairment to be ruled out of Alzheimer's disease.

  Memantine:

This medicine is being used in Germany to treat dementia. It affects the brain's chemical glutamate, which is used in the process of memory and learning new things. In Alzheimer's disease, large amounts of glutamate are released from broken brain cells and this impairs memory. Studies so far show that in more than half of the people who use the drug, the progression of dementia slows down somewhat, but the benefits are still greater. Seen in people with severe dementia. Traumatic effects of memantine, which are not very severe, include nausea, anxiety, abdominal pain, and headache.

 More research is currently underway on memantine. According to guidelines issued by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence in the UK, memantine should not be given to ordinary patients in the UK as there are doubts about the extent to which it is beneficial.      

                  

Other treatment:

Gingko Biloba:

It is a naturally occurring medicine derived from a tree called "Maiden's Hair". It has long been said that it improves memory. Some research suggests that it may be as beneficial in Alzheimer's disease as the medications mentioned above. It is thought to heal the body's naturally occurring toxins that come out of injured and dying cells. It may also improve blood flow to the brain. It also has some side effects. It can interfere with blood clotting, so people who suffer from diseases that reduce blood clotting capacity, or who are taking blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin. Medication should not be used. The general idea is that more research is needed before regular use of this drug. This medicine can be taken with other medicines mentioned above. But it is important that you consult your doctor before starting it.

VITAMIN-E:

It is also a naturally occurring medicine found in soybean oil, sunflower seeds, corn and cotton seeds, cereal or fish oil, or nuts. Vitamin E has many benefits in the body and it also helps protect other cells from toxins released from injured and dying cells. Some research shows that it can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. In the United States, this drug is used as a second-line drug after or with "choline ester inhibitors."

It also affects blood clotting. Therefore, it is important for patients who are taking blood thinners or have a blood clotting disorder to take this medicine carefully in consultation with a doctor. However, this medicine can be taken with aspirin. A 2004 study found that daily consumption of more than 400 units could be harmful. Some experts say that the maximum daily intake should be 200 units. Some experts also believe that regular use of a diet rich in this vitamin for a long period of time can help reduce the risk of this disease.

Selegiline:

 This drug is commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease. It is thought to protect other cells from toxins released from inactive and dying cells. But it has more side effects than vitamin E, such as lowering blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, excessive sleepiness, and so on. Some research suggests that it may slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease, but more research is needed.

Alternative therapies:

Research on alternative therapies and medicines is ongoing. But it is important to beware of the baseless claims that appear in the newspapers every day. Be sure to consult your doctor before using any medicine. The disease is a psychological and physical challenge for the patient's family. In order to fight this disease, it is important for the family to take care of their health.