Both have shown some efficacy improving cognitive capacities.Stimulation-oriented treatments include art, music and pet therapies, exercise, and any other kind of recreational activities. Stimulation has modest support for improving behavior, mood, and, to a lesser extent, function. Nevertheless, as important as these effects are, the main support for the use of stimulation therapies is the change in the persons routine. Caregiving
Since Alzheimers has no cure and it gradually renders people incapable of tending to their own needs, caregiving is essentially the treatment and must be carefully managed over the course of the disease. During the early and moderate stages, modifications to the living environment and lifestyle can increase safety and reduce caretaker burden. Examples of such modifications are the adherence to simplified routines, the placing of safety locks, the labeling of household items to cue the person with the disease or the use of modified daily life objects. If eating becomes problematic, food will need to be prepared in smaller pieces or even puréed. When swallowing difficulties arise, the use of feeding tubes may be required. In such cases, the medical efficacy and ethics of continuing feeding is an important consideration of the caregivers and family members. The use of physical restraints is rarely indicated in any stage of the disease, although there are situations when they are necessary to prevent harm to the person with Alzheimers disease or their caregivers.During the final stages of the disease, treatment is centred on relieving discomfort until death, often with the help of hospice.
Indeed, one suggested use for lofexidine is to ease withdrawal symptoms of methadone dependence. Its use is approved in the United States for up to 14 days. Other clinical uses
The possibility of using lofexidine to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms has been investigated, and has not yet been shown to be an effective treatment. It is also used in treatment of cases with postmenopausal hot flashes. Special populations
Lofexidines safety in pregnancy or in the setting of breastfeeding are unknown. Caution is warranted if chronic kidney impairment is present. Adverse effects
Adverse effects that have occurred after taking lofexidine include the following:
Slow heart rate
Dizziness
Sleepiness
Mouth dryness
Low blood pressure
QT prolongationIn addition, people may experience a sudden jump in blood pressure after stopping lofexidine. Overdose
The LD50 of lofexidine is above 77 mg/kg in animals. Studies of high-dose, single administrations of lofexidine proved tolerable for animals, but repeat administration induced symptoms consistent with toxicity. In studies on mice, rats, and dogs, these included ataxia, somnolence, and tremors. It is expected that an overdose of lofexidine would result in symptoms akin to its pharmacological side effects in humans, such as bradycardia and hypotension. Interactions
Many drug-drug interactions with lofexidine are possible. QT prolongation
Lofexidine prolongs the QT interval, which can result in a severe interaction (torsade de pointes) when combined with other drugs that also prolong the QT interval. Patient-specific characteristics that increase the risk for a clinically significant drug-drug interaction include:
increasing age
female sex
cardiac disease
electrolyte disturbances (low blood potassium)As a result, there are many QT-prolonging drugs that may interact with lofexidine.