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Does Intake Of Namenda Help In Treating Alzheimer's Disease?

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Posted on Mon, 25 Apr 2016
Question: my sister has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease- I figure she's at the middle to end of a stage 4- she takes Aricept 10 mgm at night- I've been reading about Namenda--will that help her?
she's sundowning/hallucinating-starting about 5-6pm--she's better from the time she gets up till then--also my nephew has been giving her anataboloc
She knows what happening to her and she's very frightened
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Namenda should be started.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Stage 4 of Alzheimer's is the last one.

Aricept is a cholinesteraze inhibitory drug used in all stages of Alzheimer's, Memantine (Namenda) is used in advanced stages.

Both drugs result in symptoms improvement, and do not treat the disease itself.

So, in my opinion, starting of Namenda at this stage shouldn't be postponed in order to control symptoms.

Since there are hallucinations present, use of antipsychotic drugs should discussed with your sister's Neurologist.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4493 Questions

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Does Intake Of Namenda Help In Treating Alzheimer's Disease?

Brief Answer: Namenda should be started. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. Stage 4 of Alzheimer's is the last one. Aricept is a cholinesteraze inhibitory drug used in all stages of Alzheimer's, Memantine (Namenda) is used in advanced stages. Both drugs result in symptoms improvement, and do not treat the disease itself. So, in my opinion, starting of Namenda at this stage shouldn't be postponed in order to control symptoms. Since there are hallucinations present, use of antipsychotic drugs should discussed with your sister's Neurologist. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Greetings.