Frontotemporal Dementia Caregiver Support Center

Definitions | Signs and Symptons | Diagnosis/Evaluation | Genetics | Videos
Frontotemporal | FTDP-17 | Corticobasal Degen. (CBD) | Progressive Aphasia | Similar Diseases | Dementia like Diseases
Managing Behaviors |Management Issues | Safety Issues | Late Stages | Taking Care of Yourself | Stories | Children | Poems |
Insurance | Social Security Disability Ins | Living Will | Power of Attorney | Guardianship | Financial | Other Legal
Research Centers | Map of Research Centers | Add a Center | Brain Endowment | Research Articles
subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link | subglobal5 link
subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link
subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link | subglobal7 link
subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link

Drug Information

The information on this page is for reference and educational purposes. There is no substitute for seeing a doctor.
Quick Links

 

At present, there are no medications approved specifically to treat or prevent FTD and most other types of progressive dementia. However, sedatives, antidepressants, and other medications may be useful in treating specific symptoms and behavioral problems associated with these diseases.


Every person is unique and different. The time it takes a drug to take effect is different for everyone. Some of the symptoms might start to improve within one to two weeks or it could take up to eight weeks. Even if the person taking the drug doesn't feel better right away, it's important to keep taking your medicine as directed until your physician tells you differently. Also, notify your physician if negative effects start to occur.

Everybody reacts differently to different meds; that's why there are so many choices.

Listed below are some tips when dealing with prescription drugs:

  • Go Low Go Slow

When starting a new drug, it is recommended to start at a low dose and increase the dosage slowly until you get the right effect.

  • Reduce Dosage Slowly

When taking a patient off certain drugs it is wise to reduce the dosage slowly and to not cut them off cold turkey. If you run into this situation, talk with your doctor.

  • One Drug at a Time

Only start with one drug at a time. Make sure you are getting the effects you need before you start another drug. There are some drugs that can be started together, but always ask your doctors about starting two or more drugs at the same time.

  • Behavioral Modifications Drugs Only Work in Early Stages

    Behavioral drugs may only work in the early stages of FTD. The patients have to be able to monitor themselves for the undesired behavior, and if a patient does not wish to end the behavior, the drug will likely not work.

  • In Treating FTD, an Accurate Diagnosis is Crucial

Some medications commonly used to treat other dementias, such as cholinergic drugs and antipsychotic drugs that contain dopamine blockers, are ineffective or could be harmful in a person with FTD.

 



 

Best FTD Resources



What If It's Not Alzheimer's
© 2003 by Lisa Radin and Gary Radin

Chapter 5
Pages 73-89

Association of Frontotemporal Dementia (Website)

No information was found on this website about this topic.
(Under some of different disorders you can find some information under "Treatment")

Pick's Disease Support Group (Website)

No information was found on this website about this topic.

University of California, San Francisco (Website)

The website below offers some good information about SSRI drugs for FTD. There is also some Alzheimer's information on the same page. Please read it carefully.

http://memory.ucsf.edu/Education/Treatment/medications.html#ftd

Family Caregiver Alliance (Website)

No information was found on this website about this topic.

National Institutes of Health (Website)

No information was found on this website about this topic.

 

 

Other Internet Articles



US Food and Drug Administration
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Good information on nearly every prescription drug

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/DrugSafety/DrugIndex.htm

MedlinePlus from the (NIH) and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

check out http://www.mejfm.com/journal/Oct2004/Dementia.htm

American Academy of Family Physicians

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060215/647.html

The New York Times published this document on Oct 2006
by Benedict Carey

Drugs to Curb Agitation Are Said to Be Ineffective for Alzheimer’s

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/355/15/1525

11/04/06

 

 

List of Drugs



Purpose Drug Name Information
  Websites

Antidepressant
SSRI

 

 

 

 

The WhatMeds websites defines SSRI as Serotonin reuptake inhibitors which are a group of chemically unique antidepressant drugs. These drugs are effective in depression, bulimia nervosa, obsessive compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa, panic disorder, pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and for premenstrual syndrome.

Doctors use these drugs to reduce repetitive and ritualistic behaviors. This drugs have a side effect which can create sexual dysfunction among patients, and this may be a desirable side effect in a FTD patient.

Lexapro®
escitalopram

Lexapro Website
What Meds - Lexapro
Article about antidepressants comparison
FDA Information
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Lexapro Pill Image(s)

Prozac® fluoxetine

Prozac Website
What Meds - Prozac
FDA Information
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Prozac Pill Image(s)

Zoloft®
sertraline

Zoloft Website
What Meds - Zoloft
FDA Information
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information

Zoloft Pill Image(s)

(My brother called his girlfriend 20-30 times a day. When they put him on Zoloft he only called 3-4 times a day. )

Paxil®
paroxetine

Paxil Website
FDA Information
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Paxil Pill Image(s)

Luvox®
fluvoxamine
FDA Information
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Luvox Pill Image(s)
Celexa®
citalpram

What Meds - Celexa
FDA Information
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Celexa Pill Image(s)

Effexor®
Venlafaxine

Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Effexor Pill Image(s)

Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (excessive worrying that is difficult to control) and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life)

cholinesterase inhibitor Is used to treat Alzheimer's disease which is associated with low levels of a chemical called acetylcholine in the brain. It is believed these drugs prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain.
Aricept®
Donepezil

Page 84 in WIINA*
Drug Treatments for Alzheimer's disease
Drug Treatments - Aricept
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Aricept Pill Image(s)

A physician told us at the conference in Philadelphia that if someone tries Aricept, he/she should be watched closely. If he/she is going to have a bad reaction, it will be within the first few days. The physician said he has had several patients who have had clearly bad reactions (agitation and hostility) and had to be taken back off it - same with Namenda.  So if the physician recommends trying Aricept, be aware starting it the day before some activity is planned may be wise to avoid. (e-mail from the Yahoo Support Group)

Exelon®
rivastigmine
Drug Treatments - Exelon
Drug Treatments (UK) - Exelon
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Exelon Pill Image(s)
Razadyne®
(formerly called Reminyl®)
galantamine
Drug Treatments - Reminyl
FDA Information

Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Razadyne Pill Image(s)
glutaminergic agent Memantine is used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Memantine is in a class of medications called NMDA receptor antagonists. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Memantine can help people with Alzheimer's disease to think more clearly and perform daily activities more easily, but it is not a cure and does not stop the progression of the disease.
Namenda®
Memantine HCL

Namenda Website
FDA Information
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Namenda
Pill Image(s)

The following is an e-mail from the Yahoo Support Group member about the possible side effect in a pFTD.

One of our members (can't recall who right now) has written in that, within two weeks, she had to take her husband off Namenda because of the increased anxiety and agitation.  It was obvious in that case, as it was the only medication he was on and they noticed the change immediately.  It cleared up when they took him off Namenda. I did the same thing with my husband as I felt the Namenda was not good for him. (e-mail from Yahoo Support Group)

atypical antipsychotics

Antipsychotic medicines are used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia that may include hearing voices, seeing things, or sensing things that are not there, mistaken beliefs, or unusual suspiciousness.

Doctors may us these drugs for very extremely disruptive behaviors when high doses of SSRI do not work anymore. See Tiffany Chow's chapter in "What If It's Not Alzheimer's."

Zyprexa®
Olanzapine

Medline Plus Website
FDA Information
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Zyprexa Pill Image(s)

Risperdal®
Risperidone

Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Risperdal Pill Image(s)

This is an e-mail from the Yahoo Support Group member.

The Doctor is having us cut down on the Risperdal and gradually take him off of it. He thinks the Risperdal has given him some "Parksonian" symptoms which mimic Parkinson's Disease. He believes that my husband will regain some of his energy and motor skills. (e-mail from Yahoo Support Group. There were at least two different e-mails pertaining to this symptom.)  

Seroquel®
Quetiapine
Page 86 in WIINA*
FDA Information
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Seroquel Pill Image(s)
  Levodopa is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease including tremors (shaking), stiffness, and slowness of movement. It may also improve your gait (walk), posture, swallowing, speech, handwriting, vigor, alertness, and sense of well-being and may control excess salivation and seborrhea (oily, crusty, scaly skin).
Sinemet®
levodopa
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Sinemet Pill Image(s)
Ergot Alkaloids

Bromocriptine ( broe-moe-KRIP-teen) belongs to the group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. Bromocriptine blocks release of a hormone called prolactin from the pituitary gland. Prolactin affects the menstrual cycle and milk production. Bromocriptine is used to treat certain menstrual problems or to stop milk production in some women or men who have abnormal milk leakage. It is also used to treat infertility in both men and women that occurs because the body made too much prolactin.

Bromocriptine is also used to treat some people who have Parkinson's disease. It works by stimulating certain parts of the brain and nervous system that are involved in this disease.

Parlodel®
Bromocriptine
Used for aphasic patients. Page 77 in WIINA*. Bupropion, Buspirone.
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Parlodel Pill Image(s)
serotonin modulators

Trazodone is used to treat depression. Trazodone is in a class of medications called serotonin modulators. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.

Desyrel®
Trazodone
Page 80 and 86 in WIINA*
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Desyrel Pill Image(s)
 

Amantadine (a-MAN-ta-deen) is an antiviral. It is used to prevent or treat certain influenza (flu) infections (type A). It may be given alone or along with flu shots. Amantadine will not work for colds, other types of flu, or other virus infections.

Amantadine also is an antidyskinetic. It is used to treat Parkinson's disease, sometimes called paralysis agitans or shaking palsy. It may be given alone or with other medicines for Parkinson's disease. By improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced. Amantadine is also used to treat stiffness and shaking caused by certain medicines used to treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions.

Symmetrel®
Amantadine

Page 77 and 81 in WIINA*
WhatMeds - Amantadine
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Symmetrel Pill Image(s)

This drug as been found to help NF-PPA patients by increasing fluency and attention.

Benzodiazepines

This drug is used to relieve anxiety, nervousness, and tension associated with anxiety disorders. It is also used to treat certain types of seizures disorders and to relieve insomnia.

It can cause confusion in FTD patients. See Tiffany Chow's chapter wherein it may be recommended to avoid these drugs. Please read the paragraph in WIINA* on page 80.

Klonopin®
Clonazepam
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Klonopin Pill Image(s)
Ativan®
Lorazepam
What Meds - Lorazepam
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Ativan Pill Image(s)
Estrogens

Can be used to control sexual disinhibition in male patients.

Premarin®
Medline Plus Website
Drugs Website Consumer Information
Drugs Website Advanced Information
Drug Digest Information
Premarin Pill Image(s)
   

 

Special Drug for Caregivers
(We all need a little humor. Do not take it seriously.)

D A M N I T O L
Take 2 and the rest of the world can go to $#!@ for up to 8 full hours

It works best if you , open your mouth, swallow these imagery pills. Now closes your eyes and think about one of your fondest moment from the past. For one minute focus on this special moment. While this drug work on most people it may not work on everyone! If not, keep trying, the pills are cheap and refill bottle whenever! It doesn't hurt to try.

(Note: Do not follow these instructions in public! It could be hard to explain!)




*(WINNA) What if it's not Alzheimer's by Lisa Radin and Gary Radin; Chapter 5 written by Tiffany W. Chow

About Us | Site Map | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | ©2006 Brauer Solutions, LLC