What is the Drug Reminyl Used to Treat?

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating condition that affects thousands of elderly patients around the globe. A form of dementia, Alzheimer's disrupts normal brain function, leading to memory loss, confusion, and disorientation. It is a degenerative, incurable disease that requires a complicated course of treatment to help patients maintain a semblance of a normal life. Reminyl has been shown to treat some symptoms of Alzheimer's and has been successful in allowing Alzheimer's patients to continue to live and thrive much longer than they would with no treatment.

Significance

Reminyl has been shown to reduce the number of forgetful episodes that Alzheimer's patients suffer from. This is due to a number of chemical processes in the brain, and it helps to keep Alzheimer's patients from experiencing so many traumatic cognitive problems. This drug has been studied extensively in clinical trials and has been determined to have the best results on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. When taken as directed, Reminyl allows those suffering from Alzheimer's can live a much more normal, worry-free life.

Function

Reminyl is in the galantamine family of medications. Galantamines help to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical essential for proper memory function. The drug helps to stabilize or raise the level of acetylcholine in the brain, thereby reducing the number of memory loss episodes that Alzheimer's patients suffer. Reminyl is prescribed in tablet form, with patients normally taking a dose ranging from 12 mg to 24 mg daily. The dose is started low and slowly increased to minimize side effects.

Potential

Alzheimer's is a devastating disease, but treatment with Reminyl makes the future for these patients a bit brighter. Reminyl has the potential to increase the lifespan of those suffering from mild to moderate forms of Alzheimer's, and can help to make memory loss episodes much less severe. This drug can be used long term with relatively few side effects, making it one of the more effective Alzheimer's treatments on the market today.

Benefits

Reminyl allows Alzheimer's patients to function as active members of society. Many people suffering from this disease feel an extreme level of anger and frustration at the memory loss and forgetfulness they suffer, and Reminyl helps to restore more normal cognitive functions. The increase in acetylcholine in the brain due to the drug helps to keep patients at home longer and avoids the need to place them in assisted living facilities.

Warning

Patients taking Reminyl should be cautious to avoid overdosing. This drug is extremely powerful, and an overdose can cause irreversible brain damage. Side effects of this drug include nausea, dizziness, fainting, and bladder control issues. Patients taking Reminyl should follow up with their doctor if these side effects worsen or new side effects appear.