Prescriptions for addressing memory decline, cognitive impairment, dementia, and related issues.
Medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate regulators can assist in addressing memory issues. They can aid in managing symptoms and potentially slow down the progression of memory loss conditions.
Individuals experiencing elevated levels of forgetfulness and difficulties with both short-term and long-term recall might be affected by memory loss more than usual. Although age-related memory lapses are common, you shouldn't worry if they're mild.
However, frequent memory loss impacting daily activities is a concern. Consult a medical professional about your symptoms and how they affect your life.
This article explores various medications for memory loss, their uses, and potential side effects.
Resources for caregivers
As the condition progresses, the person may require assistance with comprehending information related to their situation. This article provides details that may help caregivers monitor symptom progression, drug side effects, and other related factors.
Can medication help control memory loss?
(Aricept)
No drug can offer a complete cure for memory loss.
cholinesterase inhibitor
The warns against any treatment that promises to restore brain function, prevent brain disorders, and improve memory. They highlight that such medications often pose safety risks and can lead to drug interactions with other medications.
dementia relating to Alzheimer’s diseasedoctors can prescribe it off-label for the following conditions: • traumatic brain injury• vascular dementia• Lewy body dementia• Parkinson’s disease dementia
However, certain medications can help alleviate symptoms and manage the condition's progression. Medical experts suggest adhering to doctor-prescribed medications only.
• nausea• diarrhea• vomiting• insomnia• muscle cramps• fatigue• loss of appetite• hypertension• edema• hypotension
Types of medication for memory loss
Most individuals suffering from memory loss will be advised to take one of the following types of medication. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat memory loss symptoms include:
(Razadyne)
Cholinesterase inhibitors
cholinesterase inhibitor
Doctors recommend cholinesterase inhibitors to manage conditions leading to memory loss, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. They prevent the enzyme cholinesterase from breaking down acetylcholine – a neurotransmitter critical for memory and learning.
dementia relating to Alzheimer’s disease
Scientists believe that increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain can delay symptom worsening and improve memory. Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors include:
• headache• unintentional weight loss• low appetite• skin reactions• atrioventricular blockage• slow heart rate, which may include sinus bradycardia• stomach ulcer• gastrointestinal bleeding• other common side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors
- donepezil (Aricept)
- rivastigmine (Exelon)
- galantamine (Razadyne)
Glutamate regulators
(Exelon)
Research from 2014 suggests that glutamate acts as the brain's predominant neurotransmitter. It can damage nerve cells through excitotoxicity, leading to neurodegenerative conditions affecting memory.
cholinesterase inhibitor
Glutamate regulators control glutamate levels in the central nervous system, thus mitigating excitotoxicity-induced cell death. An example of a glutamate regulator is memantine (Namenda). It inhibits calcium invasion into neurons, preventing nerve injury.
dementia due to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Doctors may prescribe memantine alone or in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor due to its minimal side effects.
• involuntary movements• muscular contractions• tremors• general irritability• sleep disturbances• increased risk of death from long-term use
Cholinesterase inhibitor and glutamate regulator drug combination
Donepezil and memantine (Namenda) combines are available as a brand-name prescription drug – Namzaric. Evidence suggests that this combination is more effective than using a single medication.
memantine (Namenda)
Taking Namzaric simplifies treatment regimens, requiring only one tablet instead of two separate ones.
glutamate regulator and NMDA receptor antagonist
Aducanumab
moderate to severe memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease
is the primary treatment for individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, now available in the United States under the brand name Aduhelm. Doctors may also prescribe it for other mild cognitive impairments.
• dizziness• headache• confusion• constipation
Aduhelm is a biologic drug made of living cells that destroys plaques of toxic protein known as beta-amyloid. Believed to contribute to Alzheimer's disease-related cognitive decline, beta-amyloid plaques pose a threat to cognitive abilities.
However, the manufacturers of aducanumab plan to cease production of the drug in 2024, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Donepezil and memantine (Namzaric)
Leqembi
cholinesterase inhibitor + glutamate regulator
In 2023, the FDA approved a new medication – lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi) – to treat Alzheimer's disease.
moderate to severe memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease
Like aducanumab, Leqembi targets beta-amyloid plaques in the brain and may be prescribed for individuals with mild cognitive impairment or dementia resulting from Alzheimer's disease. Doctor's administer the drug through intravenous infusion.
• high level of stomach acid• seizure• breathing difficulty• diarrhea• slow heartbeat• loss of appetite• urinary hesitancy
Drug names / categories | Medical condition pertaining to memory loss | Uses | Side effects |---------------------------------|------------------------------------|-------|---------------|(Aricept) | Cholinesterase inhibitor | Dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease; doctors may prescribe it off-label for conditions such as:- Traumatic brain injury- Vascular dementia- Lewy body dementia- Parkinson's disease dementia | - Nausea- Diarrhea- Vomiting- Insomnia- Muscle cramps- Fatigue- Loss of appetite- Hypertension- Edema- Hypotension |(Razadyne) | Cholinesterase inhibitor | Dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease | - Headache- Unintentional weight loss- Low appetite- Skin reactions- Atrioventricular blockage- Slow heart rate (may include sinus bradycardia)- Stomach ulcer- Gastrointestinal bleeding- Other common side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors |(Exelon) | Cholinesterase inhibitor | Dementia due to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease | - Involuntary movements- Muscular contractions- Tremors- General irritability- Sleep disturbances- Increased risk of death from long-term use |Memantine (Namenda) | Glutamate regulator and NMDA receptor antagonist | Moderate to severe memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease | - Dizziness- Headache- Confusion- Constipation |Donepezil and memantine (Namzaric) | Cholinesterase inhibitor + glutamate regulator | Moderate to severe memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease | - High level of stomach acid- Seizure- Breathing difficulty- Diarrhea- Slow heartbeat- Loss of appetite- Urinary hesitancy |(Aduhelm) | Monoclonal antibody | Mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer's disease | - Edema- Falls- Delirium- Hypersensitivity- Immunogenicity |Lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi) | Monoclonal antibody | Mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer's disease | - Headache- Cough- Diarrhea- Infusion reaction- Allergic reaction- Atrial fibrillation- Decreased lymphocyte levels- Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities |
Conditions that can lead to memory loss
(Aduhelm)
There are several medical conditions that can cause memory loss. These conditions may occur individually or in combination, including:
monoclonal antibody
- Alzheimer's disease: - This is among the most frequent causes of memory loss. A person might struggle with remembering essential information and completing daily tasks.
- Head trauma: Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury due to sports or accidents has the potential to affect the retention of both short-term and long-term memory.
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD): - According to recent 2022 research, heavy alcohol consumption or AUD can lead to the loss of nerve cells in the brain and result in cognitive decline.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: - This condition, as documented in older 2015 research, is associated with an increased risk of memory loss and other cognitive issues. This is due to poor myelination, a condition that damages the myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers in the brain.
- Stress: - Research from 2016 suggests that prolonged periods of stress can negatively impact the formation of short-term and long-term memory, change the type of memories a person forms, and make it harder for them to recall essential information.
- Depression: - According to this study, people with depression symptoms may have memory complaints.
- Sleep deprivation: - Lack of quality sleep can lead to memory problems, which can directly impact a person's daily activities.
mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease
People with certain conditions are at a higher risk of neurological complications, including memory loss. These include:
• edema• falls• delirium• hypersensitivity• immunogenicity
- COVID-19
- HIV
- Gum disease
- Lyme disease
- Syphilis
- Urinary tract infection
- Lung infections
Other causes of memory loss include:
Lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi)
- Diabetes
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Kidney dysfunction
- Endocrine disorders
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Neurodegenerative conditions
monoclonal antibody
Research has also shown a correlation between herpes and Alzheimer's disease. In many cases, treating the underlying infection can resolve the memory loss.
mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease
As people age, the structures and chemistry of their brains may change, affecting their ability to learn new information and recall previously known information. Symptoms of age-related memory loss are generally mild and temporary.
• headache• cough• diarrhea• infusion reaction• allergic reaction• atrial fibrillation• decreased lymphocyte levels• amyloid-related imaging abnormalities
Certain medications can interfere with the brain's chemistry and cause short- and long-term memory loss. However, this side effect often resolves with medication adjustments.
Examples of medications that may cause memory loss include psychoactive drugs, certain tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and nonpsychoactive drugs, according to the American Association of Retired Persons. Older adults are also more likely to develop drug-induced cognitive impairment than young adults, which may be due to drug toxicity resulting from impaired liver and kidney functions.
- Getting puzzled in commonly visited spots
- Repeating the same queries repeatedly
- Struggling to comply with commands and guidelines
- Taking a lot more time to finish daily tasks
- Failing to recall names and faces of close acquaintances and relatives
- Swapping words during discussions
- Struggling to take care of one's own needs by choosing a poor diet, neglecting personal hygiene, and engaging in risky behavior
Furthermore, it's recommended to consult a physician if facing any adverse effects from taking memory loss prescription medication. The physician can devise a plan, either by reducing the dosage or switching to an alternative medication to alleviate any worsening symptoms triggered by side effects.
Perspective
Studies from 2020 suggest that there are currently limited options for memory loss.
Cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA glutamate modulators can only temporarily alleviate memory loss symptoms. However, they cannot halt or counteract the progression of the disorder.
Additional research may provide insights into the efficacy of amyloid-clearing treatments and stimulate the creation of new drug therapies.
Absent medication, memory loss symptoms can intensify greatly.
Summary
Limited medication options are available to manage memory loss. The intensity of a person's memory loss and the underlying cause will determine the best medication therapy.
Cholinesterase inhibitors often serve as the first line of defense against memory loss. The physician might also recommend the single-dose drug combination Namzeric to cope with moderate to severe memory loss.
If memory loss is linked to vitamin B12 deficiency, supplementing the vitamin through diet or nutritional supplements can help rectify the situation. Memory loss caused by traumatic brain injury may necessitate surgery.
The physician will evaluate a person’s symptoms and select the most appropriate treatment for memory loss.
- For individuals with Alzheimer's disease, medications like donepezil (Aricept) can be prescribed off-label to manage symptoms and potentially slow down the progression of memory loss.
- In some cases, memory loss might be a consequence of obesity, as excessive weight can lead to various health issues that affect cognitive functions.
- Caregivers seeking to monitor symptom progression and drug side effects for their loved ones with memory loss can refer to the resources provided in this article.
- While medications like cholinesterase inhibitors can help alleviate memory loss symptoms, they may come with side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- In the quest for new drug therapies, research continues to explore the potential of amyloid-clearing treatments to halt or counteract the progression of memory loss disorders.
- Individuals with a history of medication-induced cognitive impairment, such as seniors with impaired liver and kidney functions, should consult their physicians before starting any new medication to manage memory loss.
