Which of the following medications is used to treat mild to moderate dementia of Alzheimer’s disease: Haldol, Aricept, Celexa, or Lopa?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Aricept
Explanation:
Aricept is the brand name for donepezil, a medication commonly prescribed to treat mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which works by increasing the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter important for learning and memory. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, acetylcholine levels are lower than normal. By preventing its breakdown, donepezil helps to improve or stabilize cognitive functions and daily living skills, at least temporarily.
Aricept is typically taken once daily, and although it does not cure Alzheimer’s, it can slow down the progression of symptoms. Some people taking Aricept may experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, or muscle cramps, but many tolerate it well. Clinical trials have shown that patients on donepezil perform better on memory and thinking tests than those who do not take the medication.
Now, to contrast the other options:
- Haldol (haloperidol) is an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and severe behavioral problems, but it is not used for treating Alzheimer’s dementia. In fact, in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis, it can increase the risk of death.
- Celexa (citalopram) is an antidepressant from the SSRI class, used to treat depression. While depression can occur in patients with dementia, Celexa is not used to treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Lopa does not correspond to any recognized medication commonly associated with Alzheimer’s treatment. It may be a typographical error or a non-standard term.
Therefore, Aricept is the appropriate and approved medication among the options for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer’s dementia.