Medications to Treat Alzheimer’s

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several prescription medications to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms.

  • For mild to moderate symptoms, the FDA has approved medications called cholinesterase inhibitors, which may help delay or prevent symptoms from getting worse. These medications include donepezil (Aricept®), galantamine (Razadyne®), and rivastigmine (Exelon®).
  • For moderate to severe symptoms, the medications donepezil (Aricept®) and memantine (Namenda®) may help patients continue to do daily functions without help from a caregiver.
Some people may notice side effects when they take cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s symptoms. These side effects may include dizziness, feeling faint, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Some of these medications may also increase the risk for stomach ulcers, especially if the patient has a history of ulcers. If you notice any side effects when you or someone you know is taking a medication, tell your physician or pharmacist right away.