Currently there is only one medication that is approved by the FDA to treat the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, while there are many other medications available that are approved to treat some of the memory symptoms and cognitive changes. Treatment options are generally prescribed based on the disease stage noted as mild, moderate, or severe.

Pharmaceutical Treatment Options

• Aduhelm or aducanumab was approved by the FDA in June 2021 under the accelerated approval pathway and is still being studied in clinical trials to confirm its efficacy. This drug is designed to treat mild Alzheimer’s disease by remove abnormal beta-amyloid and reduce the number of plaques that are present in the brain. The treatment is administered intravenously through an IV on a once monthly schedule. Side effects can be severe and include fluid buildup and bleeding in the brain, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, and confusion.
• Aricept or donepezil is a medication that was approved in 1996 by the FDA and is commonly used to treat mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer’s disease symptoms by preventing the breakdown of a chemical present in the brain that can impact cognition. This drug is designed to treat dementia which is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease caused by the disease The treatment is administered by an oral tablet or patch. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, cramps, fatigue, and weight loss.
• Exelon or rivastigmine is a medication that was approved in 1997 by the FDA and is commonly used to treat mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms by preventing the breakdown of a chemical present in the brain that can impact cognition similar to how Aricept works. This drug is designed to treat dementia which is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease caused by the disease The treatment is administered by an oral tablet or patch. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, indigestion, and fatigue.
• Axura (other marketed names include: Ebixa and Namenda) or memantineis is a medication that was approved in 2003 by the FDA and is commonly used to treat moderate and severe Alzheimer’s disease symptoms by regulating a chemical that is present in the brain. This drug is designed to treat dementia which is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease caused by the disease The treatment is administered orally. Side effects include dizziness, headache, diarrhea, constipation, and confusion.
  
• Razadyne or galantamine is a medication that was approved in 2001 by the FDA and is commonly used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms by breakdown of a chemical important to cognitive function. This drug is designed to treat dementia which is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease caused by the disease The treatment is administered orally. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased apatite, dizziness, and headache.

Non-pharmaceutical Treatment Options

These techniques may help keep patients comfortable and maintain their quality of life for as long as possible but are in no way curative.

• Mental stimulation: Activities include puzzles and word games, talk therapy with a mental health counselor or in a group, and cognitive stimulation therapy.
• Occupational therapy: Working with patients and caregivers to create a safe and enjoyable environment where tasks can be simplified, and independence can be maintained as long as possible through remediation and health promotion activities.
• Physical exercise: Encouraging patient to stay active and continue engaging in low impact activities such as walking, chair yoga, stationary bike, or weight training.
• Ensuring sufficient sleep: Maintaining good sleep hygiene by setting a sleep schedule, managing medication timing, ensuring sufficient natural light exposure, limiting napping if possible, and reducing stress levels can help with overall cognitive ability.
• Nutrition: Providing healthy food and beverage options that are easy to prepare and eat is important to maintaining the best possible quality of life.