Alzheimer's Disease Treatments

Treatment

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. There are also no certain ways to slow its progression. Four medications have received approval for the treatment of some symptoms. Various drugs are being studied to see if they can manage the symptoms or slow its course.

Medications for Symptoms and Disease Progression

Medications being used and studied include:

Cholinesterase inhibitors (eg, donepezil , rivastigmine , galantamine )
NMDA receptor antagonist (eg, memantine )
Antioxidants (eg, vitamin E)
Estrogen
Anti-inflammatory agents
Ginkgo biloba (herbal supplement)

Lifestyle Management

Managing the disease includes:

Creating an environment in which you can receive the care you need
Optimizing your quality of life
Keeping yourself safe
Helping yourself learn to deal with the frustration of your uncontrollable behavior
Providing a calm, quiet, predictable environment
Providing appropriate eyewear and hearing aids, easy-to-read clocks and calendars
Playing quiet music
Light, appropriate exercise to reduce agitation and relieve depression
Encouraging family and close friends to visit frequently

Psychiatric Medications

Medications to treat the psychiatric symptoms that may occur with Alzheimer’s disease include:

Antidepressants—to treat depression
Anxiolytics—to treat anxiety
Antipsychotics—to treat severe confusion, paranoia, and hallucinations

Caregiver Support

Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease is extremely difficult and exhausting. The primary caregiver needs emotional support, as well as regular respite.

If you are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, follow your doctor's instructions .

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.