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Side effects and Dementia Meds |
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 If you have a loved one that suffers from dementia, it is important to balance the risk versus benefits for dementia medications before choosing to start one. Although these medications may be helpful for some people in improving symptoms, some find these benefits fleeting. Others find that the risk of taking these types of medication outweigh the potential benefits.
It is important to note that certain dementia medications like Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne may slow the heart rate, leading to higher incidence of dizziness, falls, hip fractures and pace maker insertion. Hip fractures can be especially devastating for the elderly because they are associated with an unusually high mortality rate and have been shown to increase the need for assisted care (i.e. nursing home care).
When deciding whether or not to utilize one of these medications it is important to note that studies show that benefits may be modest with only 1 in 12 patients showing any improvement in dementia symptoms. If one chooses to utilize one of these medications, it is advisable to stop the medication if any signs of dizziness, fainting or falls occur or if there are no noticeable benefits from taking the medication in 3 months. Before stopping any medications, be sure to consult your physician.
Author: Christi Larson, Pharm. D.
Dr. Larson is a pharmacist, author of Empowered Medicine; A Guide for Consumers and creator of Empowered Medicine. You can read more about her by visiting www.EmpoweredMedicine.com and clicking on the 'About Us' tab. EmpoweredMedicine.com is committed to providing evidence-based medical information from a pharmacist's point of view.
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