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Some People With Alzheimer's Take Conflicting Drugs
Posted 28 Oct 2011 by Drugs.com
FRIDAY, Oct. 28 – Many Alzheimer's patients who take cholinesterase inhibitors to slow their brain disease also take drugs that counter the effects of those Alzheimer's medications, a new study says. Clinical trials have shown that cholinesterase inhibitors such as Aricept (donepezil) have a modest impact on the functional and cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer's disease, noted the researchers at the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle. "Cholinesterase inhibitors are today's primary therapy for slowing Alzheimer's disease," study leader Denise Boudreau said in an institute news release. "Anticholinergic properties are often found in drugs commonly used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, urinary incontinence, depression and Parkinson's disease, and they can have negative effects on cognition and function in the elderly. There's concern that if someone is taking ... Read more
Related support groups: Benadryl, Aricept, Alzheimer's Disease, Diphenhydramine, Meclizine, Oxybutynin, Dramamine, Cogentin, Benztropine, Exelon, Ditropan, Donepezil, Scopolamine, Bonine, Artane
Anti-Delirium Drug May Harm Critically Ill Patients
Posted 4 Nov 2010 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, Nov. 4 – The anti-delirium drug rivastigmine (brand name Exelon) does not appear to control delirium in critically ill hospital patients, new Dutch research indicates. When given to critically ill patients, it may even be linked to a more severe type of delirium, a longer intensive care stay and increased mortality, the new study suggests. The findings could influence treatment protocols for the most severely ill Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease patients for whom Exelon is a standard treatment. In a news release, the Dutch team, led by Dr. Maarten M J van Eijk and Dr. Arjen J.C. Slooter of the University Medical Centre in Utrecht, concludes that "since (the) findings of our study show that rivastigmine does not decrease duration of delirium and might increase mortality in critically ill patients, we do not recommend treatment of delirium with rivastigmine for patients in ... Read more
Related support groups: Exelon, Rivastigmine
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Related Condition Support Groups
Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease