Alzheimer's disease medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease. Available treatments offer relatively small symptomatic benefit but remain palliative in nature. Current treatments can be divided into pharmaceutical, psychosocial, and caregiving.

Medical Therapy

The American Psychiatric association has published the following guidelines for the management of Alzheimer's disease:

(a) Mild disease

• Patients may benefit from guidance for how to cope with minor disablities
• The following suggestions may help the patient with dealing with daily life situations:
  • Making lists
  • Calendar use to maintain time orientation
  • Avoiding overwhelming situations such as certain childcare responsibilities
  • Health promotion activities
  • Joining recreation clubs
  • Assessment of co-morbid conditions such as major depression
• 1 Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
  • 1.1 Adult
    • Preferred regimen (1): Donepezil 5 mg PO once daily; may increase to 10 mg once daily after 4 to 6 weeks
    • Preferred regimen (2): Rivastigmine 1.5 mg PO twice daily; may increase by 3 mg daily (1.5 mg/dose) every 2 weeks based on tolerability (maximum recommended dose: 6 mg twice daily
    • Preferred regimen (3): Galantamine immediate-release tablet or solution: Initial: 4 mg twice daily for 4 weeks; if tolerated, increase to 8 mg twice daily for ≥4 weeks; if tolerated, increase to 12 mg twice daily (Range: 16 to 24 mg daily in 2 divided doses)
    • Alternative regimen (1): Rivastigmine transdermal patch: Apply 4.6 mg/24 hours patch once daily; if well tolerated, may titrate (no sooner than every 4 weeks) to 9.5 mg/24 hours (continue as long as therapeutically beneficial), and then to 13.3 mg/24 hours (maximum dose); doses >13.3 mg/24 hours have not been shown to be more effective and are associated with significant increases in adverse events (Recommended effective dose: Apply 9.5 mg/24 hours or 13.3 mg/24 hours patch once daily; remove old patch and replace with a new patch every 24 hours)
    • Alternative regimen (2): Galantamine extended release capsule 8 mg once daily for 4 weeks; if tolerated, increase to 16 mg once daily for ≥4 weeks; if tolerated, increase to 24 mg once daily. Range: 16 to 24 mg once daily
  • 1.2 Renal impairment
    • Preferred regimen (1): Donepezil:
      • No adjustment required
    • Preferred regimen (2): Rivastigmine:
      • No adjustment required
    • Preferred regimen (3): Galantamine:
      • Mild impairment: No dosage adjustment required
      • Moderate impairment (Creatinine clearance [CrCl] 9 to 59 mL/minute): Maximum dose: 16 mg/day.
      • Severe impairment (CrCl <9 mL/minute): Use is not recommended
  • 1.3 Hepatic impairment
    • Preferred regimen (1): Donepezil:
      • No adjustment required
  • Preferred regimen (2): Rivastigmine:
    • No adjustment required
  • Preferred regimen (3): Galantamine:
    • Mild impairment (Child-Pugh class A): No dosage adjustment required
    • Moderate impairment (Child-Pugh class B): Maximum dose: 16 mg/day
    • Severe impairment (Child-Pugh class C): Use is not recommended

(b) Moderate disease

• Caregivers are an important part of management of moderate severity Alzheimer's disease
• The following suggestions and advice should be given to the caregivers of the patients:
  • Caregivers should be advised about the possibility of accidents due to forgetfulness (e.g., fires while cooking), of difficulties coping with household emergencies, and of the possibility of wandering.
  • Caregivers should also be advised to asses if the patient is handling finances appropriately and to consider taking over the financial matters requiring memory function and cognition for example, paying bills and maintenance of bank accounts.
  • Patients should not be allowed to drive
  • Consider home health aid, day care, brief assisted living, or nursing home stay
• 1 Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
  • 1.1 Adult
    • Preferred regimen (1): Donepezil 5 mg PO once daily PLUS immediate release memantine PO 5 mg daily; increase dose by 5 mg daily to a target dose of 20 mg daily; wait ≥1 week between dosage changes. Doses >5 mg daily should be given in 2 divided doses
    • Preferred regimen (2): Donepezil 5 mg PO once daily PLUS extended release memantine PO 7 mg once daily, increase dose by 7 mg daily to a target maximum dose of 28 mg once daily; wait ≥1 week between dosage changes (if previous dose well tolerated)
    • Alternative regimen (1): Donepezil 5 mg PO once daily PLUS aripiprazole IM immediate release 9.75 mg as a single dose (range: 5.25 to 15 mg; a lower dose of 5.25 mg IM may be considered when clinical factors warrant); repeated doses may be given at ≥2-hour intervals to a maximum of 30 mg/day
    • Alternative regimen (2): Donepezil 5 mg PO once daily; may increase to 10 mg once daily after 4 to 6 weeks
    • Aternative regimen (3): Donepezil 5 mg PO once daily; may increase to 10 mg once daily after 4 to 6 weeks PLUS carbamazepine PO 100 mg once or twice daily; dose increased by 50 to 100 mg every 2 to 7 days to a maximum of 400 to 600 mg daily in 2 to 4 divided doses; treatment durations ranged from 6 to 8 weeks
    • Alternative regimen (4): Donepezil 5 mg PO once daily PLUS citalopram 20 mg PO once daily; increase the dose by 20 mg at an interval of ≥1 week to a maximum dose of 40 mg daily

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

• Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the first-line treatment for the management of Alzheimer's disease according to guidelines.
• The following agents may be used:

• 1 Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
  • 1.1 Adult
    • Preferred regimen (1): Donepezil 5 mg once daily; may increase to 10 mg once daily after 4 to 6 weeks

Caregiving

Further information: [[:Caregiving and dementia]]

Since there is no cure for Alzheimer's, caregiving is an essential aspect of the management of the disease. Due to the eventual inability of the sufferer to self-care, Alzheimer's disease has to be carefully care-managed. Home care in the familiar surroundings of home may delay onset of some symptoms and delay or eliminate the need for more professional and costly levels of care. Many family members choose to look after their relatives with AD, but two-thirds of nursing home residents have dementias.

Modifications to the living environment and lifestyle of the Alzheimer's patient can improve functional performance and ease caretaker burden. Assessment by an occupational therapist is often indicated. Adherence to simplified routines and labeling of household items to cue the patient can aid with activities of daily living, while placing safety locks on cabinets, doors, and gates and securing hazardous chemicals can prevent accidents and wandering. Changes in routine or environment can trigger or exacerbate agitation, whereas well-lit rooms, adequate rest, and avoidance of excess stimulation all help prevent such episodes. Appropriate social and visual stimulation can improve function by increasing awareness and orientation. For instance, boldly colored tableware aids those with severe AD, helping people overcome a diminished sensitivity to visual contrast to increase food and beverage intake.

References

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