eit take ‘Sale pext Raila! averag on a! erga ‘a foneqn 8 on “AA ie od“iey 7A-‘ih suet nd a “ade 20h "an hoso| Bertal: a cbea A ein ere| sale bg “on acsani “aeee “atl ay meeon rat vag ne Long-Term Study Finds‘Combination Therapy Helps Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease Combination Therapy Treatment Slows Progression Of Disease’s Devastating Symptoms (NAPSA)—Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers have received encouraging news. Over the long rm, treatment with Alzheimer’s disease drugs can significantly slow the progression of the disease symptoms, according to a study pub3 we lished in the journal . Alzheimer Disease & Associad Disorders / and suppord by the National Institu on | Aging (NIA). The ae @ study showed that a * combination of two Dr. Alireza Atri different drugs, including memantine (Namenda) plus a cholinesrase inhibitor, is more effective than monotherapy in slowing cognitive decline and helping patients maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Findings from this study are consisnt with the established benefits of combination therapy with memantine (Namenda) and donepezil (Aricept) on cognition and function in patients with modera to severe Alzheimer’s disease as demonstrad in a clinical trial. Alireza Atri, M.D., Ph.D., a cog- nitive neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, Bedford VA Medical Cenr, and Harvard Medical School and lead study author, answers questions about this exciting information. Q.What is Alzheimer’s disease? A. Alzheimer’s diseaseis a progressive and degenerative brain disorder that causes problems with memory, thinking, behavior and carrying out daily functions. These issues ultimaly become severe enoughto affect work,lifelong hobbies and social life. Although there is no cure for the disease, medications can help. Consisnt treatment with available therapies—especially combination therapy—canhelp allevia Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and slow the ra at which the symptoms advance. Q. How many people are affecd by Alzheimer’s disease? A. Over 5 million people 65 and older are affecd by Alzheimer’s and that figure is increasing. Plus, let’s not forget caregivers. Each individual afflicd with Alzheimer’s disease or a relad dementia can have from one to four people with caregiving responsibilities, who ofn do so at a huge personal and emotionalcost. Q.How was the study conducd? A. Patients with Alzheimer’s received one of three treatment options: *Combination therapy with a cholinesrase-inhibitor medication [donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne) or rivastigmine (Exelon)] plus memantine (Namenda); Cholinesrase alone; inhibitor *No treatment. Every six months, researchers assessed patients’ cognitive abilities and daily activity performance. Q.What is combination therapy? A. Two types of medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Alzheimer’s treatment: Cholinesrase inhibitors act by reducing the breakdownof the neurotransmitr acetylcholine and are ofn stard in mild to modera stages of the disease. There are currently three medications in this cagory—donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne) andrivastigmine (Exelon). *Memantine (Namenda), avail- able for treatment of modera to severe Alzheimer’s disease, is the only approved medication that alrs the action of another neurotransmitr, glutama. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrad that treating patients with modera to severe Alzheimer’s disease with combination therapy of memantine (Namenda) and donepezil (Aricept) yielded important benefits on: Functional independence(ability to perform daily activities); *Behavioral improvements (improved mood); *Slowing cognitive decline (improved memory, language). Q. What should health care providers take away from this study? A: Health care providers should help patients understand that the benefits of these drugs may be long rm and may not be apparent in the first months of treatment. Even if a patient’s symptoms get worse, it doesn’t mean the drug isn’t working, since decline would likely be even grear without treatment. Until we have a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to treat patients using all currently available options. Q. What can I do if I suspect a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease? A. See a doctor right away so your loved one can receive an evaluation and proper diagnosis. Timely diagnosis allows care and treatment to begin as soon as pos- sible to slow the progression of symptoms, maximize function, and best safeguard well-being and quality oflife. For more information, talk to your doctor and visit Alzheimers ComboCare.com. Namenda (memantine HCL) is indicad for the treatment of modera to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Namendais contraindicad in patients with known hypersensitivity to memantine HCl or any excipients used in the formulation. The most common. adverse events repord with Namenda vs placebo (2 5% and higher than placebo) were dizziness, confusion, headache and constipation. In patients with severe renal impairment, the dosage should be reduced. Please see full prescribing information for Namenda.
