Question 1

which alzheimer's drug is most effective: aricept or namenda (memantine)?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Both drugs belong to different class due to specific activity of mechanism for slowing down the progression of alzheimer's disease. The decision to pick either one of them or both is based on the individual. The key to make both drugs successfully is to have socialization and to keep busy for activities.

Question 2

expert opinions? which alzheimer's drug is more effective: aricept or namenda (memantine)?

Accepted Answer

Yes: They both have advantages and disadvantages.  To learn about the risks and benefits to make a decision you should consult your doctor.

Question 3

how long is aricept (donepezil) effective for the alzheimers?

Accepted Answer

It varies: It could be early as three weeks from the beginning of the medication to make the medication effectively. Remember, it simply slows down the progression, not cure. I would stop the medication when the person is becoming more chair bounded or bed bounded or no longer accepting to feed. Remember Aricept (donepezil) deal with three main components - behavioral, functional and cognitive.

Question 4

how effective is donepezil (aricept) for treating alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Somewhat: It can help slow down the symptoms of dementia but it does not cure it.

Question 5

my father has alzheimers. aricept and namenda (memantine) had worked well-but not so well lately. whats next?

Accepted Answer

Modest meds.: The memory enhancing agents for alz are not cures and only modest control measures.  Usually benefits last only a few years.  Two other choices might be Exelon patch or galantamine, (galantamine hydrobromide) but you might want to first go to Aricept 23, if not tried yet.

Question 6

is aricept (donepezil) normally used for prevention of alzheimer's as well as treatment?

Accepted Answer

Aricept (donepezil) use: At this time, Aricept (donepezil) is not indicated for prevention of alzheimer's.

Question 7

which is most effective in slowing down alzheimer's: aricept, exelon, (rivastigmine) or reminyl?

Accepted Answer

No head2head study: So far, there are no head-to-head studies demonstrating that one medication is better than the other/rest. Aricept (donepezil), Exelon (rivastigmine) &amp; Razadyne (nee Reminyl aka galantamine) are all acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI). Namenda (memantine) is an NMDA receptor antagonist which is often used in conjunction w/one of these AChEI to slow down progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Question 8

88 yr old prescribed aricept (donepezil) for confusion but not diagnosed with alzheimer's. is this wise? she's developed fecal incontinence.

Accepted Answer

Aricept (donepezil): A few issues to address: confusion in elderly can be due to many, many causes and needs thorough evaluation. Alzheimer's dementia actually is still a diagnosis of exclusion, once everything else is ruled out. So, during disease evaluation, Aricept (donepezil) or other medications often are prescribed to delay the progression, if present. Aricept (donepezil) can give diarrhea, which may not be present at a lower dose.

Question 9

my mother has alzheimer's.  meds and supplements: phosphatidylserine, fish oil, d3, uridine 5, alpha gpc, amlodipine, aspirin, aricept and a combo pill that includes gaba, htp, etc. we want to add b-complex and colostrinin. too many pills? bad combo?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient data: What stage is your mother at: Mild, moderate or severe? Has her dementia progressed over the last year or has she been stable? If she has progressed, how rapidly? That’s an awful lot of pills to pile on, especially since none of them affects the actual mechanism of Alzheimer’s; their purpose is just to reduce the slope of the downhill slide. No one really improves.

Question 10

how effective is the new medication for alzeimer disease aricept (donepezil)?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The key to make this drugs successfully is to have socialization and to keep busy for activities. Also make sure the other medications does not cause worsening of confusion. Have a geriatrican or geriatric pharmacist to review them.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Aricept medication alzheimers

A member asked:

Which alzheimer's drug is most effective: aricept or namenda (memantine)?

A member asked:

Expert opinions? which alzheimer's drug is more effective: aricept or namenda (memantine)?

A member asked:

How long is aricept (donepezil) effective for the alzheimers?

A member asked:

How effective is donepezil (aricept) for treating alzheimer's disease?

A member asked:

My father has alzheimers. aricept and namenda (memantine) had worked well-but not so well lately. whats next?

A member asked:

Is aricept (donepezil) normally used for prevention of alzheimer's as well as treatment?

A member asked:

Which is most effective in slowing down alzheimer's: aricept, exelon, (rivastigmine) or reminyl?

A member asked:

88 yr old prescribed aricept (donepezil) for confusion but not diagnosed with alzheimer's. is this wise? she's developed fecal incontinence.

A member asked:

My mother has alzheimer's. meds and supplements: phosphatidylserine, fish oil, d3, uridine 5, alpha gpc, amlodipine, aspirin, aricept and a combo pill that includes gaba, htp, etc. we want to add b-complex and colostrinin. too many pills? bad combo?

A member asked:

How effective is the new medication for alzeimer disease aricept (donepezil)?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?