Medication for dementia: Options to consider Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is the best medication for dementia Medically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By Jenna Fletcher on August 30, 2022“Dementia” is a broad term for several conditions that affect a person’s ability to think and reason. Medications that doctors use to treat dementia either help slow disease progression or treat the symptoms. Dementia is not one specific condition. Instead, the term refers to a variety of diseases that can interfere with a person’s ability to remember, think, and make decisions. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Medications to treat Alzheimer’s disease fall into one of two broad categories: They either slow the progression of the disease or address its symptoms. This article reviews the various medications doctors may use to help treat dementia, with a general focus on Alzheimer’s disease. Can medication treat dementia or Alzheimer s disease Share on Pinterestjustocker/Getty ImagesCurrently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, treatment can help improve a person’s quality of life and, in some cases, slow the progression of the disease. For mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, doctors often prescribe a group of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors. This category includes the medications galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil. They work by stopping the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain that plays an important role in memory and thinking. However, they cannot slow the progression of the disease. Only one drug, aducanumab, may target the underlying cause of the disease and slow its progression. A doctor may prescribe this medication in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided accelerated approval for aducanumab. Researchers are currently testing other medications to help treat pre-Alzheimer’s disease. Overview table The table below provides information on some common medications for Alzheimer’s disease. The information is from the National Institute on Aging.Generic nameBrand namePurposeDelivery methodSide effectsaducanumab Aduhelmmay help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s diseaseintravenous• amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) • headache • falls• allergic reactiongalantamine Razadynetreats the symptoms associated with cognitive declinetablet or extended-release capsule• vomiting• nausea• loss of appetite• increased frequency of bowel movements • diarrheadonepezil Aricepthelps with mild to severe symptoms of dementiatablet or orally disintegrating tablet• weight loss• nausea• muscle cramps• diarrhea• fatigue• vomitingrivastigmine Exelonhelps with mild to severe symptoms of dementiacapsule or patch• nausea • vomiting• diarrhea• weight loss• indigestion• muscle weaknessmemantine Namendahelps with moderate to severe symptoms of dementiatablet, oral solution, or extended-release capsule• confusion• dizziness• headache• diarrhea• constipationmemantine and donepezil combination Namzarichelps with moderate to severe symptoms of dementiaextended-release capsule• loss of appetite• headache• diarrhea• nausea• vomiting• dizziness Dosages of each medication vary based on a person’s need. A doctor will likely start a person on a smaller dose and then increase the dose depending on how the person responds to the drug. Higher doses are more likely to cause side effects. Aducanumab Aduhelm Aducanumab is currently the only disease-modifying medication for Alzheimer’s disease. The medication is a type of immunotherapy that targets the protein beta-amyloid and helps reduce amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques are brain lesions associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Reducing these plaques might help slow the rate of cognitive decline. When testing the medication, researchers looked at how it worked for people with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease with mild cognitive impairment. Researchers are currently looking at how it can affect people with moderate to severe cognitive impairments. It can cause side effects such as:ARIA — swelling in one part of the brain that likely will not cause symptoms but can become seriousheadache fallsallergic reaction Medications for symptoms Most medications focus on helping reduce the severity of symptoms a person experiences. Often, a person will need several medications to help with their symptoms. Galantamine Razadyne Galantamine, brand name Razadyne, is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It helps stop the breakdown of acetylcholine. It also helps stimulate nicotinic receptors to release more acetylcholine in the brain. Doctors prescribe it for mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It can cause side effects such as:vomitingnausealoss of appetite increased frequency of bowel movements diarrhea Donepezil Aricept Donepezil, brand name Aricept, is a cholinesterase inhibitor. A doctor may prescribe it for mild to severe cases of Alzheimer’s disease. It can cause side effects such as:weight lossnauseamuscle crampsdiarrheafatiguevomiting Rivastigmine Exelon Rivastigmine, brand name Exelon, is a type of cholinesterase inhibitor. Like other medications of this type, it prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. Rivastigmine also breaks down butyrylcholine, a chemical similar to acetylcholine. A doctor may prescribe it for mild to severe forms of Alzheimer’s disease. It can cause side effects such as:nauseamuscle weaknessindigestionvomitingweight lossdiarrhea Memantine Namenda Memantine, brand name Namenda, is a type of N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist. This type of medication works in two ways: It regulates activation of glutamate and stops toxic effects associated with excess glutamate. Doctors may prescribe it for moderate to severe forms of Alzheimer’s disease. It can cause side effects such as:confusiondizzinessheadachediarrhea constipation Memantine and donepezil combination Namzaric One medication combines memantine and donepezil into one formula. This combination helps block both the toxic effects of glutamate and the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. Doctors may prescribe it for moderate to severe cases of Alzheimer’s disease. It can cause side effects such as:loss of appetiteheadachediarrheanauseavomitingdizziness Paying for dementia medications Insurance providers may cover medications for dementia. If a person has Medicare, private insurance, or an employee health plan, they may receive help with some of the treatment costs. Low cost options may be available for people without insurance who have trouble paying for dementia medications. A person can try to contact a drug company directly to ask about reduced-price options. The following table displays some drug manufacturers’ telephone numbers. A person may wish to contact the manufacturers to ask about low cost options.Brand nameDrug nameCompanyToll-free numberNamenda and Namzaricmemantine and memantine-donepezil combinationAllergan 1-844-424-6727AriceptdonepezilEisai Inc.1-888-347-2448 Additionally, several prescription programs exist that may help with costs. A person can contact some of the organizations below to find out whether they may be eligible for financial help.OrganizationWhat it offersContact informationBlinkHealthprescription drug discounts1-833-844-9621ConnectiveRxaerie savings card1-844-807-9706Pan Foundationpatient assistance programs1-866-316-7263Eagle Pharmacy (EyeRx Direct)patient assistance programs1-844-813-3864GoodRxprescription drug discounts1-855-268-2822NeedyMedspatient assistance programs1-800-503-6897RxHopepatient assistance programsVisit the website here.Partnership for Prescription Assistanceprescription assistance service1-888-477-2669PharmacyCheckerprescription drug price comparison toolVisit the website here.Medicareprescription drug plans1-800-633-4227RxOutreachpatient assistance programs1-888-796-1234 A person can also try asking their doctor or pharmacist for help getting the most affordable medications that will fit their needs. Find out more about Medicare and dementia. Summary Medication for dementia care does not cure the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease. However, it can help reduce the effects of the symptoms. Currently only one drug, aducanumab, can help slow the progression of the disease. A person who needs help with their medication costs can try to contact the drug company directly or look into one of several nonprofit organizations that may help with prescription costs. Last medically reviewed on August 30, 2022Alzheimer's / Dementia 4 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.FDA grants accelerated approval for Alzheimer's drug. (2021).https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-alzheimers-drugHow is Alzheimer's disease treated? (2021).https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-alzheimers-disease-treatedMedications for memory, cognition and dementia-related behaviors. (n.d.). https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/medications-for-memoryWhat is dementia? (2019).https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.htmlFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By Jenna Fletcher on August 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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