Alzwisc.org

The Alzheimer's & Dementia
For more information
Side effects
Alliance of Wisconsin is a nonprofit
organization that is specifically designed to provide a link to resources for These medications are generally well- people with Alzheimer's disease and tolerated; however, some people may have related dementias. We are also deeply adverse reactions to the drugs. It is important concerned with providing support to those that the prescribing doctor be aware of the who care for persons with dementia. person's medical history, current medications, Exelon® Patch (rivastigmine
Our mission is to help caregivers take and any existing health conditions. Treating
care of themselves as well as provide a Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Some possible side effects of cholinesterase quality life for the person with Alzheimer's inhibitors include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, disease or related dementia.
Alzheimer's
fatigue, cramps, weight loss, decreased If you have questions or would like appetite, and insomnia. assistance, please contact us.
Some possible side effects of Namenda® Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
include headache, constipation, confusion, Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance of dizziness and diarrhea. Side effects typically increase with dosage, but decline over time Namenda® and Namenda XR®
517 North Segoe Road Suite 301 with continued use. Speak to your doctor if Madison WI 53705 you have any concerns. A guide to medications
Forest Laboratories, Inc.
608.232.3400 or 888.308.6251 Since Namzaric™ is a combination of [email protected] Namenda® extended-release and donepezil, there may be side effects from both drugs.
Namzaric™ (memantine and
Which drug is
Pfizer Inc. and Allergan plc The cholinesterase inhibitors are similar in many respects. However, each type has slight Patient Assistance
How they work, how they differences in composition and mechanisms that may make one more suitable for an are administered, common individual than another.
For information on programs to help pay for Because Namenda® works very differently some medication costs, contact: side-effects, and more from cholinesterase inhibitors, the two types of drugs can be prescribed in combination.
Partnership for Prescription
Namzaric™ may be beneficial as a once-a- day medication for people who are already Updated February 2016 tolerant of both drugs.

Namenda® works differently than the
How do these
How are they
lzheimer's disease (AD) cholinesterase inhibitors and is known as damages nerve cells in the medications
an NMDA receptor antagonist. It is FDA- brain, causing a progressive approved to treat moderate to severe Aricept® (donepezil) is a tablet
decline in cognitive functioning. This Alzheimer's disease symptoms.
administered once daily. Generally, the initial decline is characterized by problems Aricept®, Exelon®, and Razadyne®
It appears to work by regulating the activity of dose is 5 mg a day. If well tolerated, the of memory and reasoning as well as are drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors glutamate. Excess glutamate leads to death of dose is usually increased to 10 mg a day. personality and behavioral changes. and are approved to treat mild to moderate brain cells.
It is available as a dissolving tablet. After at There is currently no cure for the symptoms of AD. Aricept® has also been least three months on the 10 mg tablet, a disease, but there are drugs available approved to treat severe AD.
Namenda® has been approved to 23 mg time-release tablet is available.
to help control the symptoms of mild to Each acts in a different way to delay the be prescribed in conjunction with a cholinesterase inhibitor. breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical as a capsule, liquid or skin patch. The oral In some people, these drug treatments neurotransmitter in the brain that facilitates Namzaric™ is a combination of extended-
communication among nerve cells and medication is typically started at 1.5 mg may enhance memory and cognitive release memantine and donepezil.
is important for memory, judgment and twice daily with food. The therapeutic goal ability or slow down the rate of other thought processes. AD is associated is to increase the dosage gradually to reach Generic equivalents of many of these
cognitive decline. This can help the with inadequate levels of this important 6 to 12 mg a day. The skin patch is a small medications are available. Consult with your person function at a higher level for neurotransmitter. Maintaining levels of adhesive patch applied to the back, chest physician or pharmacist to learn more. a longer time—potentially improving acetylcholine may help to compensate for the or upper arm. Because it delivers a small, quality of life and reducing the amount loss of functioning brain cells associated with steady dose through the skin, it may produce of assistance needed from others. the disease.
fewer side effects. It is replaced once a day.
Five prescription medications Acetylcholine levels are also reduced in approved by the U.S. Food and Drug persons with some other types of dementia. or liquid administered twice daily with food. Administration (FDA) for treatment of Cholinesterase inhibitors may be prescribed Some medications may help control mood The initial dose is usually 4 mg twice a day. AD are commonly prescribed: for these diseases as well.
and behavioral symptoms of AD such If well tolerated, it is slowly increased up to as sleeplessness, agitation, anxiety and 24 mg a day. It is also available as a once-a- • Aricept® (donepezil)
depression, and should be discussed with the day, extended-release capsule.
• Exelon® (rivastigmine)
person's doctor if these symptoms cannot be Namenda® (memantine) is a tablet or
managed sufficiently in other ways.
• Razadyne® (galantamine)
liquid. The initial dose is 5 mg per day, and • Namenda® (memantine)
The prescribing physician should be kept may be slowly increased to 10 mg twice a aware of all medications a person is taking, day if kidney functions are good. It is also • Namzaric™ (memantine
including herbal and over-the-counter available as a once-a-day, extended-release extended-release and
medications, as well as alcohol and caffeine.
Exelon® has also been approved by This brochure is provided as a guide
release and donepezil) is available as a
the FDA for the treatment of mild to only and not intented to be used for
once-a-day capsule in two dosage strengths, moderate Parkinson's disease dementia treatment purposes. It is important
14/10 mg (memantine extended release/ to work closely with an experienced
donepezil) and 28/10 mg for people physician in determining the best
already stable on these doses.

Source: http://www.alzwisc.org/documents/medication%20brochure.pdf