- Body system
- Neurology
- Drug cards
- 1 in this guide
Drugs in this class
Other examples: Rivastigmine, Galantamine, Memantine, Lecanemab, Donanemab.
How alzheimer disease drugs work
Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) increase acetylcholine. Memantine blocks NMDA receptors. Anti-amyloid antibodies (lecanemab, donanemab) remove amyloid plaques in early disease.
Uses
- Alzheimer dementia
- Parkinson disease dementia (rivastigmine)
Adverse effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss
- Bradycardia and syncope
- Insomnia and vivid dreams
- Dizziness and confusion (memantine)
- Brain swelling or bleeding on MRI (anti-amyloid antibodies)
Nursing considerations
- Check heart rate and assess for falls.
- Rivastigmine patch: remove the old patch and rotate sites.
- Anti-amyloid therapy requires MRI monitoring as scheduled.
Patient teaching
- The goal is to slow decline, not to cure.
- Report fainting, black stools or severe vomiting.
- Caregivers should give doses consistently.
Alzheimer disease drugs NCLEX practice questions
Answer each question to see the rationale.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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A family asks if donepezil will cure their father's Alzheimer disease. What is the best response?
Show answer
Answer A: It may slow the worsening of symptoms but does not cure the disease Cholinesterase inhibitors provide modest symptomatic benefit; they do not stop the disease.
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Which assessment is important before giving donepezil?
Show answer
Answer D: Heart rate Increased cholinergic activity can cause bradycardia and syncope.
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Which drug for Alzheimer disease works by blocking NMDA receptors?
Show answer
Answer A: Memantine Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist. The others are cholinesterase inhibitors.
Frequently asked questions
What are alzheimer disease drugs?
Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can modestly slow symptom decline in Alzheimer disease; they do not cure it. Bradycardia and GI effects are the main concerns.
How do alzheimer disease drugs work?
Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) increase acetylcholine. Memantine blocks NMDA receptors. Anti-amyloid antibodies (lecanemab, donanemab) remove amyloid plaques in early disease.
What are examples of alzheimer disease drugs?
Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine, Memantine, Lecanemab and Donanemab.
What are the nursing considerations for alzheimer disease drugs?
Check heart rate and assess for falls. Rivastigmine patch: remove the old patch and rotate sites.