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Aricept© – Alzheimers Wonder Drug InformationMedication Gives Relief to Dementia Sufferers and Families
New Donepezil drugs help with memory loss, reasoning and organisational skills. Find out here about Aricept's© amazing success in treating sufferers of senility problems.
In the past, Alzheimer’s has been a hopeless condition that has caused misery not only to the sufferer, but also to one's loved ones. Fortunately, thanks to modern developments in pharmaceutical science, there is now hope for a better quality of life for many dementia patients. Aricept© – Miracle Drug Aricept© is, for many people suffering from Alzheimer’s Syndrome or Senile Dementia, nothing less than a miracle drug. Donepezil hydrochloride, to give it its generic name, works by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for metabolising acetylcholine, thereby increasing neurotransmitter levels in the brain. What is a Neurotransmitter?A neurotransmitter is a chemical that helps to conduct information along the nerve fibres in the brain. In clinical trials it was found that Aricept© slowed the breakdown of one particular neurotransmitter, acetylcholine – effectively increasing the amount of this chemical in the brain. This had the result of enhancing the flow of information, resulting in better memory, better language skills, improved orientation, reasoning and organisational skills. Who Can Benefit?Aricept© has been found to be effective in helping those with mild to moderate symptoms of Alzheimers or dementia as well as in more advanced cases. The results, for these people, can be remarkable; reversing the memory loss, confusion and hallucinations that are the distressing symptoms of these diseases. Available since 1996 in the USA, initially there was resistance from the UK health authorities against the prescribing of Aricept® for mild cases of Alzheimer’s disease. However, in 2006 this resistance was overturned by results from clinical trials that showed the drug has the benefit of slowing down the disease and that by taking the drug earlier, this effect is maximised. DosageThe tablet comes in 5mg and 10mg dosage. It has been found through clinical trials, that the 5mg is the most effective dose for most people, with the least side effects. It was also found that, where there were initial adverse reaction, continued use of the drug usually resulted in a reduction of side effects. Side Effects of Aricept©There are possible side effects, as with any drug, which include nausea, diarrhoea, anorexia, insomnia, muscle cramps and fatigue. However these symptoms are not universally experienced, and can be minimised by taking the medication last thing at night. Aricept© is not recommended for patients with known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or to piperidine derivatives. WarningLoss of memory etc. can also be indicative of other diseases. It is advisable to consult a specialist neurologist in order to get a correct diagnosis. Self medication is unsafe. References:American Health Assistance Foundation Interim Guidance on Donepezil for Primary & Secondary Care Clinicians, Feb.1998, CREST Secretariat, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SF Telephone 028 90524391.
The copyright of the article Aricept© – Alzheimers Wonder Drug Information in Alzheimer's Disease is owned by Christine Fadhley. Permission to republish Aricept© – Alzheimers Wonder Drug Information in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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