Although we cannot cure or prevent dementia through medicines, medicines can help to improve, relieve or slow down cognitive decline or symptoms caused by dementia. Caregivers need to pay special attention on issue of polypharmacy and drug compliance as people with dementia may need to take several drugs. You should consult practitioners or pharmacists if you have any questions.
Medications
Practitioners prescribe medicines after consultation. Generally, efficacy requires continuous use of medications for at least several weeks.
Oral Medications
| Medicine | Stages of Dementia | Common Dosage | How to use | Common Side Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memantine, Ebixa® | Middle to late |
| It can be taken with or without food |
|
| Donepezil, Aricept® | Early to middle | Take 5-10mg before bedtime | May take with food to reduce stomach upset |
|
| Galantamine (Extended-Release Capsule), Reminyl® | Early to middle | Take 8-24mg in the morning | May take with food to reduce stomach upset |
|
| Rivastigmine, Exelon® | Early to middle | Take 1.5mg in the morning and evening (The maximum dose is 12 mg per day) | Take with meal and swallow it directly |
|
Transdermal Patch
| Medicine | Stages of Dementia | Common Dosage | How to use | Common Side Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exelon® Patch | Early to middle | Apply one patch to the skin every 24 hours. (4.6 or 9.5 mg)
| Refer to the application of Exelon® Patch |
|
Application of Exelon® Patch
- The old patch should be removed before applying a new patch to a different skin location
- Should not apply a new patch to the same area for at least 2 weeks
- Apply the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area on the back, upper arm or chest
- Should not apply the patch on abdomen
- The patch should not be cut into pieces
- Apply a new patch immediately if the existing patch falls off
How many drugs are you taking?
In order to cure various chronic diseases, people with dementia may need to take numerous medicines. If you are taking 5 or more medicines regularly, you may undergo polypharmacy.
Risks of Polypharmacy
- Adverse drug reactions or side effects are caused
- Unnecessary medicines are taken unintentionally
- There are drug interactions between dementia medicines and other drugs
What can I do?
- Prepare an accurate medicine list that you are taking and show to healthcare professions in every consultation
- Examine all the medicines that you are taking by healthcare professions in order to optimize medical therapy
- Consult healthcare professions or pharmacists before taking unprescribed medicines, health food, supplements and proprietary Chinese medicines
- Check and dispose expired medicines frequently, especially those already used
Do you have trouble in taking medicines as directed?
It is important to take medicines in directed dosage and time in order to achieve your health goals.
Why it is hard to comply?
Personal Factors
- Being neglected
- Not fully understand about the prescribed medicines or treatment
Physical Limitation
- Forgetful
- Unable to swallow any food or medicines
Complexity of treatment
- Unwilling to change lifestyle so as to comply with complicated instructions and timetable
- Adverse drug interactions is encountered
How to improve
Looking for assistance
- Schedule your timetable wisely
- Remark the time in an app for reminder
Examine medicines you are taking
- Consult your pharmacist
