There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are medications available on prescription that can help delay the condition’s development.
Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease also involves creating a care plan. This identifies the type of assistance that you might need, and focuses on ways of providing this support.
Medication
Medications that may be prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease include:
- donepezil (brand name Aricept)
- galantamine (brand name Reminyl)
- rivastigmine (brand name Exelon)
- memantine (brand name Ebixa)
Whether these medications are used will depend on the severity of your Alzheimer’s disease.
Donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine (AChE inhibitors) can be prescribed for people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine may be prescribed for people with moderate Alzheimer’s who cannot take AChE inhibitors or for those with severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Medication should be prescribed by specialists such as:
- psychiatrists, including those specialising in learning disabilities
- neurologists
- physicians specialising in the care of older people
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, your views should be taken into account when prescribing medication and also at regular assessments. These assessments take place to ensure the medication is having a worthwhile effect.
Read the full NICE guidance on donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (PDF: 665Kb).
Side effects
Donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine (AChE inhibitors) can cause side effects including:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- headache
- fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- insomnia (difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep)
- muscle cramps (when your muscles suddenly shorten and cause pain)
For more information about the possible side effects of a particular medication, refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication, or see medicines information.
Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a syndrome (a group of symptoms) that is associated with an ongoing decline in mental abilities. The treatment for Alzheimer’s disease will follow the same pattern as treatment for dementia.
If you have been diagnosed with any other conditions as well as Alzheimer’s disease, for example, depression or incontinence (when you unintentionally pass urine or stools), these may be treated separately.
Care assessment
If you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, your future health and social care needs will be assessed and a care plan will be drawn up. This will be coordinated by:
- healthcare professionals, such as your GP or psychiatrist
- social care services, which is normally your local council working in conjunction with the NHS
As part of your care assessment your functional capacity will be assessed. This involves identifying areas where you may need some assistance with your day-to-day activities. For example, areas that may be assessed include:
- whether you can drive safely
- whether you can wash, dress and feed yourself
- whether you have a support network, such as family and friends
- whether you need any financial assistance
Following the care assessment, a care plan can be drawn up to arrange support for any areas where you may need to have some help. The kind of care that you will receive may depend on what is available from your local primary care trust (PCT).
Support
The healthcare professionals who are treating you will aim to keep you living as independently as possible. Support can be provided in many different ways. For example:
- grab bars and handrails can be added around your home, for example, to help you to get in and out of the bath
- an occupational therapist can identify problem areas in your everyday life, such as dressing yourself, and help you to work out practical solutions
- cognitive stimulation programmes can be arranged – these involve taking part in activities and exercises to improve your memory, problem-solving skills and language ability
Read more information about how dementia is treated.
You can find Alzheimer’s support services in your area and, if necessary, choose a hospital for Alzheimer’s disease.
Carer issues
If you are concerned about any issues to do with your care, or if you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, you can find information and advice on the Carers Direct section of the website. This includes advice about:
- legal issues for carers, such as what to do when someone can no longer make decisions for themselves
- personal and household finance, including information about council tax discounts and budgeting advice
- benefits for carers, such as allowances and tax credits that may be available
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