Donepezil and Memantine-Extreme Side Effects

ChickenMama

Hello Everyone!
This is time on the site.

My DH was officially diagnosed with VD about eight months ago. But because my mom also had dementia, I knew three years ago that something was wrong.
His doctor didn't listen to me, and not until he had three mini strokes, and carotid artery operated on did anyone start listening to me. The surgeon said the plaque was so hard he had to punch though it! On top of that, a brain scan showed he has more plaque consistant with memory issues. DH is 81, was very active, four years of college, hands on our one acre projects. Now it took him all day to install a new light feature. He kept complaing that someone had tampered with the package, and that's why it took him so long to install it!

Two months ago, he was prescribed Donepezil, which he did really well on. It was like he was a whole new person! Then extreme diarrhea started, with continue watery eyes and nose. He lost 20 lbs in a month! Next was Memantine, same thing. We were told to try imodium with the meds, didn't help at all.

Has anyone else had this issue, and if so, what ideas can you give me? I'm reading the 36 Hour Day, have neighbors and friends to talk to. I started taking Zoloft, because I know how this situation will most likely end. I'm 71, our two children, one lives 2 hours away, one in another state.

Thank you for any advice or comments...
Chicken Mama

ricardo

I take Memantine with no side effects

ricardo

also take NAD+

​fesk

I'm sorry to hear you are both going through this. Was there a dose of either Aricept or Namenda that your husband was on that didn't cause the issue? Maybe a lower dose can be effective without causing the side effects.

Iris L.

He might try Exelon patch, since it avoids the gastrointestinal tract.

Iris

Lux

Hello CM, We are at a similar stage, taking both Donepezil and Namenda, but no direct side effects.

That said, my husband did have extreme diarrhea with Covid last May, for 4 weeks, which put us over into early dementia. But it wasn't in direct relationship to the meds. He already had lost 20 pounds last year. So I'm wondering about cause and effect.

Both Namenda and Donepezil have been helping. But stopping nothing.

Grandot

My husband has been on both for two years. We had to cut the dose of Donepezil in half because of the side effects. He still has some side effects but not nearly as severe. I make sure he eats something before taking the medication.

AlzWife2023

my husband was not able to tolerate the donezepil but he’s doing well on the rivastigmine patch.

elainechem

My hubby got nauseated when he started donepezil. The doctor cut the dose in half for awhile, then gradually increased it back up to the original dose. I once asked about Exelon. The neuro said that it can have the same digestive side effects. Memantine had no adverse effects on my hubby. It actually improved his behavior for a time.

Maru

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/70389/donepezil-and-memantine-extreme-side-effects

I know you posted this a couple of months ago and, hopefully, you have resolved your issues. DH, age 89, with ALZ probably stag..e 3-4 now… He ended up having allergic reactions to all the memory meds as they tried to get him up to full dosage. From everything that I have read here from other caregivers, I am not sure that it matters much. At any rate, neither he nor I have any wish to make the situation more miserable than it is already.

God bless you for trying, especially through diarrhea issues.

SPin-need

My DH went on same meds with similar side effects, It helped to take Imodium every morning. We also faced confusion/hallucinations during the medicine build up. Most of this is now settled. We saw a slight improvement in one area for a few months but no other improvements and events are moving downhill again. I am not sure these medications are worth it.

DWTired

My DH had reactions of extreme meanness with all but Namenda aka Memantine, lethargy during the day so he only takes it at night.. also on Paxil and just started Seroquel for agitation and aggression, 5 days now and I have not noticed an improvement yet.🤞

Carl46

You might try probiotic capsules to increase the beneficial bacteria in his digestive tract. That resolved my wife's diarrhea when antidiarrheal meds had no effect.

DW has taken Memantine and Donepezil since 2017 without side effects, so her diarrhea was a different problem. But you could try it.