The term “dementia” is a catch-all for a number of ailments that impair one’s capacity for thought and reasoning. Drugs used by medical professionals to treat dementia can slow the disease’s course or treat its symptoms.
There isn’t just one type of dementia. Instead, the phrase describes a range of ailments that might impair a person’s memory, thought process, and decision-making.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent type of dementia. Trusted Source.
The two main categories of medications used to treat Alzheimer’s disease are those that either delay the illness’s progression or treat its symptoms.
With an overall focus on Alzheimer’s disease, this article examines the many drugs doctors may employ to treat dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease does not currently have a treatment. Treatment, however, can enhance a person’s quality of life and, in some instances, halt the disease’s course.
A class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors is frequently prescribed by doctors for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. The drugs galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil fall within this category.
They function by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is crucial for thinking and memory. They are unable to stop the disease’s course, though.
Only one medication, aducanumab, has the potential to delay the progression of the disease by focusing on its root cause. When Alzheimer’s disease is still in its early stages, a doctor could recommend this medicine.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted rapid approval for aducanumab in 2021Trusted Source. Other drugs are being tested by researchers to help treat pre-disease. Alzheimer’s.
Paying for dementia medications
Medication for dementia may be covered by insurance companies. A person may be given assistance with some of the treatment costs if they have Medicare, private insurance, or an employer-sponsored health plan.
People without insurance who struggle to pay for dementia treatments may be able to find affordable alternatives.
To learn about possibilities with lower costs, a person can attempt contacting a pharmaceutical business directly.
The phone numbers of a few drug manufacturers are shown in the following table. To learn about affordable solutions, a person would choose to get in touch with the producers.
