When Treating Alzheimer S Disease, Combination Therapy May Provide The Greatest Benefit
Posted on March 10, 2009 by Alana
While you may be aware that FDA-approved treatments are available for patients with Alzheimer s disease, did you know that using two classes of medications in combination may provide the greatest benefits. In the 1990 s, a class of treatments called cholinesterase inhibitors was approved for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer s disease. In 2003, a new type of therapy, Namenda , was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer s disease. Namenda works in a different way than previously approved treatments, by helping to regulate levels of glutamate, a messenger chemical that the brain uses to process, store, and retrieve information. The only approved treatment for moderate to severe Alzheimer s disease, Namenda may help with memory, behavior, and activities of daily living. Because of their different mechanisms of action, Namenda and cholinesterase inhibitors can be used successfully in combination when treating Alzheimer s disease...