For more information The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance Side effects of Wisconsin (ADAW) will help you Aricept® (donepezil) navigate the complex maze of issues that can arise when you or someone These medications are generally well- Eisai, Inc. tolerated; however, some people may have 800.760.6029 you know is affected by early memory adverse reactions to the drugs. It is important www.aricept.com loss, mild cognitive impairment, that the prescribing doctor be aware of the Alzheimer’s disease or other person’s medical history, current medications, Exelon® Patch (rivastigmine dementias. transdermal system) Treating and any existing health conditions. ADAW provides guidance, education, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. support and advocacy for those who Some possible side effects of cholinesterase 888.669.6682 live with a dementia diagnosis. There is inhibitors include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, www.exelonpatch.com fatigue, cramps, weight loss, decreased not yet a cure, but there are strategies Alzheimer’s appetite, and insomnia. Razadyne® (galantamine) and treatments throughout the course Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of the disease that can help maximize Some possible side effects of Namenda® 800.526.7736 the quality of life for all affected. include headache, constipation, confusion, disease www.janssen.com/us/our-products dizziness and diarrhea. Side effects typically We’re here to help through the entire increase with dosage, but decline over time Namenda® and Namenda XR® dementia journey. with continued use. Speak to your doctor if (memantine) you have any concerns. A guide to medications Forest Laboratories, Inc. Alzheimer’s & Dementia Since Namzaric™ is a combination of 800.678.1605 Alliance of Wisconsin Namenda® extended-release and donepezil, www.namenda.com there may be side effects from both drugs. alzwisc.org Namzaric™ (memantine and donepezil) [email protected] Which drug is Pfizer Inc. and Allergan plc 888.308.6251 toll-free best? 800.272.5525 www.namzaric.com Main Office The cholinesterase inhibitors are similar in 3330 University Ave., Suite 300 many respects. However, each type has slight Patient Assistance Madison, WI 53705 How they work, how they differences in composition and mechanisms Programs 608.232.3400 that may make one more suitable for an are administered, common individual than another. Serving south-central Wisconsin with For information on programs to help pay for offices in Beloit, Green Lake, Lancaster, Because Namenda® works very differently some medication costs, contact: Madison, Mauston, and Portage. Visit from cholinesterase inhibitors, the two types of side-effects, and more alzwisc.org or call 888.308.6251 for drugs can be prescribed in combination. Partnership for Prescription more information. Assistance Namzaric™ may be beneficial as a once-a- 888.477.2669 day medication for people who are already www.pparx.org tolerant of both drugs. Updated July 2018 How do these Namenda® works differently than the How are they lzheimer’s disease (AD) cholinesterase inhibitors and is known as damages nerve cells in the medications an NMDA receptor antagonist. It is FDA- administered? brain, causing a progressive approved to treat moderate to severe A work? Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Aricept® (donepezil) is a tablet decline in cognitive functioning. This administered once daily. Generally, the initial Aricept®, Exelon®, and Razadyne® decline is characterized by problems It appears to work by regulating the activity of dose is 5 mg a day. If well tolerated, the are drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors of memory and reasoning as well as glutamate. Excess glutamate leads to death of dose is usually increased to 10 mg a day. and are approved to treat mild to moderate personality and behavioral changes. brain cells. It is available as a dissolving tablet. After at symptoms of AD. Aricept® has also been There is currently no cure for the least three months on the 10 mg tablet, a approved to treat severe AD. disease, but there are drugs available Namenda® has been approved to 23 mg time-release tablet is available. be prescribed in conjunction with a to help control the symptoms of mild to Each acts in a different way to delay the cholinesterase inhibitor. Exelon® (rivastigmine) is available severe AD. breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical as a capsule, liquid or skin patch. The oral neurotransmitter in the brain that facilitates In some people, these drug treatments Namzaric™ is a combination of extended- medication is typically started at 1.5 mg communication among nerve cells and may enhance memory and cognitive release memantine and donepezil. twice daily with food. The therapeutic goal is important for memory, judgment and ability or slow down the rate of is to increase the dosage gradually to reach other thought processes. AD is associated Generic equivalents of many of these cognitive decline. This can help the 6 to 12 mg a day. The skin patch is a small with inadequate levels of this important medications are available. Consult with your adhesive patch applied to the back, chest person function at a higher level for neurotransmitter. Maintaining levels of physician or pharmacist to learn more. or upper arm. Because it delivers a small, a longer time—potentially improving acetylcholine may help to compensate for the steady dose through the skin, it may produce quality of life and reducing the amount loss of functioning brain cells associated with fewer side effects. It is replaced once a day. of assistance needed from others. the disease. Other Razadyne® (galantamine) is a tablet Five prescription medications Acetylcholine levels are also reduced in medications or liquid administered twice daily with food. approved by the U.S. Food and Drug persons with some other types of dementia. The initial dose is usually 4 mg twice a day. Administration (FDA) for treatment of Cholinesterase inhibitors may be prescribed Some medications may help control mood If well tolerated, it is slowly increased up to AD are commonly prescribed: for these diseases as well. and behavioral symptoms of AD such as sleeplessness, agitation, anxiety and 24 mg a day. It is also available as a once-a- • Aricept® (donepezil) depression, and should be discussed with the day, extended-release capsule. person’s doctor if these symptoms cannot be • Exelon® (rivastigmine) Namenda® (memantine) is a tablet or managed sufficiently in other ways. • Razadyne® (galantamine) liquid. The initial dose is 5 mg per day, and may be slowly increased to 10 mg twice a • Namenda® (memantine) The prescribing physician should be kept aware of all medications a person is taking, day if kidney functions are good. It is also • Namzaric™ (memantine including herbal and over-the-counter available as a once-a-day, extended-release extended-release and medications, as well as alcohol and caffeine. capsule. donepezil) Namzaric™ (memantine extended- Exelon® has also been approved by This brochure is provided as a guide only release and donepezil) is available as a the FDA for the treatment of mild to and not intented to be used for treatment once-a-day capsule in two dosage strengths, purposes. It is important to work closely with moderate Parkinson’s disease dementia 14/10 mg (memantine extended release/ an experienced physician in determining the donepezil) and 28/10 mg for people (PDD). best treatment plan. already stable on these doses.