Alzheimer’s disease (AD): conventional drug treatments

Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .

Alzheimer’s disease (AD): conventional drug treatments. These are indicated for mild to moderate AD. Fully referenced neurology checklist.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ACheI): indications and benefits

  • These are indicated for mild to moderate AD
  • They are also indicated for AD-associated symptoms
  • They reduce the mortality of AD
  • Galantamine reduces the risk of severe dementia

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ACheI): types and doses

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Memantine

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Antidepressants

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Precautions with antidepressants

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Drug treatments of agitation and aggression

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Drug treatments of psychosis

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

References

  1. A NICE–SCIE Guideline on supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care National Clinical Practice Guideline Number 42. November 2006.
  2. Donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance (TA217) March 2011.
  3. O'Brein, JT, Burns A, Dementia Consensus Group. Clinical practice with anti-dementia drugs: a revised (second) consensus statement from the British Association of Psychopharmacology. J Psychopharmacol 2011; 25:997-1019.
  4. Xu H, Garcia-Ptacek S, Jönsson L, Wimo A, Nordström P, Eriksdotter M. Long-term effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on cognitive decline and mortality. Neurology 2021; 96:e2220-e2230. 
  5. Schmidt R, Hofer E, Bouwman FH, et al. EFNS-ENS/EAN Guideline on concomitant use of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurol 2015; 22:889-898. 
  6. And 5 more. Subscribe to see the full list

Related checklists

Loading...