List of medications used in the treatment of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Donepezil: an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It is shown to benefit slightly in mental function and confusion; however, it does not affect the progression of the disease.
- Galantamine: an alkaloid isolated from the plant Galanthus nivalis. It has acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting properties. Galantamine is used to treat cognitive decline in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease patients.
- Rivastigmine: a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
- Tacrine: an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
- Ipidacrine (Not available in the US): an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and Myasthenia gravis.
NMDA receptor antagonists
- Memantine: a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
Monoclonal Antibodies
- Aducanumab: a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It acts by targeting Amyloid-beta protein and reduces its build-up in the brain.
Herbal medicines
- Ginkgo Folium: a herbal preparation made by powdering the dried leaf or as dry extract from Ginkgo biloba leaf. It improves age-related cognitive impairment and quality of life in adults with dementia.