| The modest
benefits received from the drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease
are causing doctors to second-guess prescribing them to patients to
treat memory and cognitive problems. While advocates of the drug remain
hopeful, others have expressed their doubts on the effectiveness of
these drugs.
Conflicting opinions from the experts ranged from prescribing the
patients the drugs for six to eight weeks, then quit if there was
no sign of improvement, to prescribing the drugs for a six-month
period.
Startling statistics on Alzheimer’s
disease:
- 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease
- Most family members feel that drugs are the only answer to slowing
down the disease
- Alzheimer’s patients usually take one drug
- Estimated cost of each drug: $120 a month
- The overall costs of Americans taking the drugs are $1.2 billion
a year
Researchers are continuing to search for new treatments, however
there doesn’t appear to be a cure in the near future. Even
though some research has shown improvements after taking the drug,
the changes aren’t significant enough for the Food and Drug
Administration’s (FDA) approval.
Presently the four drugs being used to treat Alzheimer’s disease
include Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl and Tacrine. Each of these drugs
was found to raise levels of acetylcholine, a chemical that sends
nerve signals to the brain.
A fifth drug, Namenda, targets a different neurotransmitter and
was approved for moderate to severe cases.
Several doctors expressed their concerns that hundreds of millions
of dollars are being wasted on these drugs. Families continue to
rely on medications for their family members, out of fear that if
they stop the medication, their family member might experience a
sharp decline in the disease.
New
York Times April 7, 2004
| 