Coping with abnormal behaviours is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to dealing with dementia. Dementia symptoms such as irrational beliefs, paranoid behaviours, frequent wandering, aggressive behaviour, sleep disturbances, and disinhibited behaviours, are stressful to both the patient and their caregiver. As to whether there are medications to help with these symptoms, yes, there are. However, there are significant side effects and risks to consider. Additionally, these medications don’t cure the condition; they only help to ease the symptoms of dementia temporarily.
Memantine and Cholinesterase inhibitors are the two mostly prescribed dementia medications, and they are mainly used by patients with Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common type of dementia. They also help with other types of dementia.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
If you or your loved one is suffering from an early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, your doctor will most likely prescribe cholinesterase inhibitors. The doctor may also consider prescribing this medication if you or your loved one is diagnosed with any other type of dementia.
How Cholinesterase Inhibitors Work
According to scientists, cholinesterase inhibitors work by preventing the breakdown of a brain messenger chemical known as acetylcholine. This chemical controls important processes such as memory, mood, and learning. It is also believed that cholinesterase inhibitors work by delaying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors include galantamine, rivastigmine, donepezil, and Razadyne.
What to Expect
A user of Cholinesterase inhibitors tends to experience improved motiv
ation, less anxiety, better memory, and better concentration. Some of them maintain their ability to run their regular activities. However, these improvements usually don’t last. In most cases, they only delay the condition from getting worse for a certain period, usually not more than 12 months.
Side Effects
Although most patients don’t experience side effects, some do. The side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors include migraines, insomnia, muscle cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite, bruising, increased bowel movements, and nausea, which is usually accompanied by vomiting.
Memantine
This medication is typically prescribed for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. This medication comes in various forms, including oral drops, extended-release tablets, and immediate-release tablets.
How It Works
Memantine works by balancing glutamate, which is also a brain messenger chemical responsible for learning and memory. This medication is known to improve attention, the ability to use language, memory, and reasoning, among dementia patients. In some cases, doctors prescribe this medication along with donepezil.
What to Expect
As shown by studies, memantine reduces the severity of dementia symptoms, including hallucinations, irritability, delusions, aggression, and agitation.
Possible Side Effects
The side effects of memantine are not as harmful as those of cholinesterase inhibitors. If you’re using memantine, you may experience constipation, confusion, dizziness, sleepiness, fatigue, headaches, and increased blood pressure.
