What Do Aricept, Exelon & Razadyne Do?

DEMENTIA MEDICATIONS VIDEO:

See Teepa Snow talk about the top medications for Alzheimer's & dementia. In plain English, she explores what they do and how they work. Get clarity on Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne (generic donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine).

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In fighting Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, the most common drugs are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. They are known generically as donepezil, rivastigmine & galantamine / galanthamine. The brand names are Aricept^®, Exelon^® & Razadyne^®. Here's how they work.

When Part 1 of the video completes, Part 2 will play automatically.

Charts of Alzheimer's Drugs

Note: This brief summary does not include all information important for patient use and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult the prescribing doctor and read the package insert before using these or any other medications or supplements.

DRUG NAME	DRUG TYPE AND USE	HOW IT WORKS	COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Aricept® (donepezil)	Cholinesterase inhibitor prescribed to treat symptoms of mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's	Prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, fatigue, weight loss
Exelon® (rivastigmine)	Cholinesterase inhibitor prescribed to treat symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's (patch is also for severe Alzheimer's)	Prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine and butyrylcholine (a brain chemical similar to acetylcholine) in the brain	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, decreased appetite, muscle weakness
Namenda® (memantine)	N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist prescribed to treat symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer's	Blocks the toxic effects associated with excess glutamate and regulates glutamate activation	Dizziness, headache, diarrhea, constipation, confusion
Namzaric® (memantine extended-release and donepezil)	NMDA antagonist and cholinesterase inhibitor prescribed to treat symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s (for patients stabilized on both memantine and donepezil taken separately)	Blocks the toxic effects associated with excess glutamate and prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain	Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, decreased appetite
Razadyne® (galantamine)	Cholinesterase inhibitor prescribed to treat symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's	Prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine and stimulates nicotinic receptors to release more acetylcholine in the brain	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, decreased appetite

DRUG NAME	MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDED DOSAGE	FOR MORE INFORMATION
Aricept® (donepezil)	Tablet*: Initial dose of 5 mg once a day May increase dose to 10 mg/day after 4-6 weeks if well tolerated, then to 23 mg/day after at least 3 months Orally disintegrating tablet*: Same dosage as above 23-mg dose available as brand-name tablet only	For current information about this drug's safety and use, visit www.aricept.com/prescribing-and-patient-info. Click on "Prescribing and Patient Information" to see the drug label.
Exelon® (rivastigmine)	Capsule*: Initial dose of 3 mg/day (1.5 mg twice a day) May increase dose to 6 mg/day (3 mg twice a day), 9 mg (4.5 mg twice a day), and 12 mg/day (6 mg twice a day) at minimum 2-week intervals if well tolerated Patch: Initial dose of 4.6 mg once a day; may increase dose to 9.5 mg once a day and 13.3 mg once a day at minimum 4-week intervals if well tolerated Oral solution: Same dosage as capsule	For current information about this drug’s safety and use, visit the www.fda.gov/Drugs. Click on "Drugs @ FDA," search for Exelon, and click on drug-name links to see "Label Information."
Namenda® (memantine)	Tablet*: Initial dose of 5 mg once a day May increase dose to 10 mg/day (5 mg twice a day), 15 mg/day (5 mg and 10 mg as separate doses), and 20 mg/day (10 mg twice a day) at minimum 1-week intervals if well tolerated Oral solution*: Same dosage as above Extended-release capsule: Initial dose of 7 mg once a day; may increase dose to 14 mg/day, 21 mg/day, and 28 mg/day at minimum 1-week intervals if well tolerated	For current information about this drug's safety and use, visit www.namenda.com . See Full Prescribing Information (PDF, 555K).
Namzaric® (memantine extended-release and donepezil)	Capsule: 28 mg memantine extended-release + 10 mg donepezil once a day 14 mg memantine extended-release + 10 mg donepezil once a day (for patients with severe renal impairment)	For current information about this drug’s safety and use, visit www.namzaric.com . Click on “Prescribing Information” to see the drug label.
Razadyne® (galantamine)	Tablet*: Initial dose of 8 mg/day (4 mg twice a day) May increase dose to 16 mg/day (8 mg twice a day) and 24 mg/day (12 mg twice a day) at minimum 4-week intervals if well tolerated Oral solution*: Same dosage as above Extended-release capsule*: Same dosage as above but taken once a day	For current information about this drug’s safety and use, visit www.janseenpharmceuticals.com/assets/razadyne_er.pdf to see the drug label.

*Available as a generic drug.

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MORE INFORMATION

To learn about support groups, research centers, research studies, and publications about Alzheimer's disease, contact the following resources:

Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
1-800-438-4380 (toll-free)
adear@nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers

The National Institute on Aging's ADEAR Center offers information and publications for families, caregivers, and professionals on diagnosis, treatment, patient care, caregiver needs, long-term care, education, training, and research related to Alzheimer's disease. Staff members answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources. Visit the ADEAR website to learn more about Alzheimer's and other dementias, find clinical trials, and sign up for email updates.

SOURCES:

1. Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, A Service of the National Institute on Aging
2. National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

You can order print copies of these publications from the U.S. government's NIH by calling 1-800-222-2225 or visiting www.nia.nih.gov/health

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The video clip above is an excerpt of "The Journey of Dementia", a 3 hour training DVD for Alzheimer's/Dementia Caregivers, with Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA.


Preparation and readiness are key to being the best possible caregiver you can be! "The Journey of Dementia" is packed with over 3 hours of essential preparation tips and advice to give you vital information for all situations.
You will learn to:

1. Make the most of doctor's visits
2. Get proper screenings to determine the stage of the disease and the best level-appropriate care
3. Look for vital legal and financial documents that need to be prepared before the disease progresses
4. Give the best possible support during Emergencies
5. To determine when and if facility placement is the best choice
6. Find the best End of Life care

Join the thousands of caregivers that have made their loved ones feel at ease with Teepa.

"The Journey of Dementia" is presented by The Pines Education Institute of SW Florida and facilitated by Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA.

The Pines Education Insitute is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing education, outreach programs, support, resources and counseling to family members and geriatric caregivers. For more information please visit www.pinesofsarasota.org.
© 2012, Pines Education Institute of S.W. Florida and Teepa Snow