Feedback on Aricept

DrinaJGB

DH saw his neuro doc today and was given the results of his testing which shows mixed mild dementia/comorbid Alzheimer's. He was told to try Aricept for a trial period and to return in 3 months. DH was not upset or anything---guess that's the  lack of insight kicking in which in this case may be a good thing; still convinced he is just having a setback.

Anyone else have a LO on Aricept--and. if so. can you tell me how it worked or is working for your LO?

Thanks in advance--

dj

CStrope

My DH has been on Aricept since day 1 of diagnosis, just over a year ago.  As to it's effectiveness?  I really can't say if it does any good.  He takes it every night, and he seems to sleep well with it.  I'm not really sure what good it is supposed to be doing, if any.  The doctor never made any claims when he prescribed it, and emphasized that nothing would slow progression, only deal with some of the symptoms.

Josie in Podunk

We did the generic for 2 years with nothing particularly obvious, but he exhibited no side effects…until he began showing signs of agitation and a quickness to anger…both of which are not normal for him.  So, we stopped 6 months ago and he is improved in that area.  He is no worse…but, he is also no better….just mostly Swiss cheesy stable.  I currently am not inclined to try anything else.

M1

Drina, figures I’ve quoted before are that one in twelve will benefit, one in twelve will have a significant adverse effect, and for ten in twelve it will make no difference. Since he had mixed dementia, I wouldn’t hold my breath, but I can understand the rationale for trying it in case it helped.

Stuck in the middle

DWs PCP prescribed Namenda and Donepezil when she was first diagnosed with AD in 2016 or 2017.  Two neurologists (one in 2017 and one last week) have concurred that this is the best treatment regimen available.  We have seen no side effects, and she is progressing in dementia quite gradually, so we are continuing the meds.

MRI last spring showed only "borderline" brain atrophy for age, so we might have experienced slow progression without the meds.  No way to tell.  

terei

My mother was given Aricept at the beginning of dementia.  She had immediate side effects of extreme nausea, dizziness + abdominal pain.   So that was the end of that.

SSHarkey

My DH took it for the first three years of the disease. It initially helped significantly, but had to be increased after three months. Be aware, it can cause bad dreams. So even though it says take at night, don’t! Morning allows it to work through. He came off of it when I cut back on it to see if there were any changes. None, so no need to continue.

DrinaJGB

Thank you all so much for your helpful feedback.

  His neurologist stressed that should DH experience any hallucinations to call him asap. He said that the drug does not "Cure" AD but helps the neurotransmitters function better.

 Of course we already know there is no cure. Doctor merely attempting to slow progression and hopefully improve memory functioning. He also said to take it every morning. So---we shall see.

Thanks again everyone--you are all jewels

dj

Newbernian

DH was diagnosed with MCI 2 years ago.  I had already seen this coming for a few years so diagnosis was no surprise to either of us.  PCP refused to prescribe anything since he said drugs don't work. I didn't push because I was aware of the uncertainty of efficacy of drugs.  Ten months ago, DH really started having issues with everything including delusions.  I tried to get him into Neurologist.  Even though insurance doesn't require referrals, none would seem him w/o one.  So PCP wanted to see him before giving referral.  During visit very negative about drugs, don't work, etc.  He RX'd Donepazil (generic Aricept) along with generic Nexium per my request to help with possible stomach issues.  Within a week of starting 5mg., I noticed positive changes as did he.  Had adverse reaction at 10mg.(maintenance dose), stomachache and headaches so I dropped it back to 5mg and that is where he is at. It was a game changer, nothing miraculous, but definite improvement over where he was.  I've considered trying to get him on Namenda.  PCP was reticent when we talked.  He's retiring end of December.  Have an appt. end of January with neurologist but had already been cancelled by neurologist from Oct.  I believe fear of Covid related.

pluviophile

My husband has taken both Aricept (or Donepezil) and Namenda for years.  But I have no way of know if it helped or not.  Because I cannot compare it to him not having taken them.

RanchersWife

I’ve observed that the two drugs caused agitation in my LO as her disease progressed. She’s been on them for 5 years. We discontinued them instead of adding Avitan. It was the right decision.