Alzheimer's Disease
Easing the Pain

Alzheimer's Disease and Medication

ALTHOUGH about 200 possible treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are currently being tested, there is not yet a cure for AD. Some drugs reportedly alleviate memory loss for a while in the early stages of AD or slow down the progression of the disease in some patients. Caution is in order, however, because these drugs are not effective in all patients, and some can cause damage. Other medications, however, are sometimes used in treating conditions that often accompany AD, such as depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness. In consultation with the patient's doctor, each family can weigh the benefits and risks of a treatment before making a decision.

Return to: Facing Up to Alzheimer's Disease