system
How can Alzheimer s disease be treated?
human
My friend has Alzheimer s and was prescribed risperidone .25mg. She became non interactive and would not engage in a conversation. The family decided to cut the pill in half about 3 weeks ago. Now she is leaving the home and wandering, and today wander off while shopping with her son and left the store. She also takes donepezil HCL 10 mg. What are options for quality of life with safety in mind?
gpt
Hello thanks for asking from HCMShe has Alzheimer's and is showing symptoms like leaving the home, wandering here and there, abnormal behaviour etc. These symptoms are occurring due to agitation because of dementia. A lot of patients with Alzheimer's develop agitation over the course of time. She is on Risperidone 0.25 mg and this is a low dose of the drug. But even with such low dose her activity level has reduced. In such case for her agitation and abnormal behaviour other drugs like Lurasidone can be used. Lurasidone is safe to use in Alzheimer's. The drug is even beneficial in Dementia of Alzheimer's type. The drug has positive effects on cognition too. She is taking Donepezil and is on right drug for dementia but if her dementia symptoms are not improving the cognitive enhancers like Piracetam can be used. Please consult with her doctor for the medicine changes I've mentioned.Thanks and Take care