Monday, August 3, 2015

Medications and Lewy Body Dementia

There are so many different medications out there promising the world today.  There are also, still, those in the medical field who believe that all dementias are Alzheimer's related and can be treated the same.  This is a dangerous belief!  They are not all the same, nor can they be treated as such!  One must be aware of the differences between the types of dementias and the drugs associated with each in order to keep their loved ones from any more harm.

Remember, Alzheimer's is caused by a misfolding of the BetaAmyloid Proteins in the brain.  Lewy Body and Parkinson's are caused by Lewy Bodies, or Alpha-synucleic Acids wreaking havoc on and in the brain.  Different causes mean different means of treatment.  Treat an LBD patient for AD and you may have a wrongful death lawsuit on your hands.  Be Aware!

The following are drugs that ARE NOT for use with LBD patients.  This is a list of Anti-psychotics that are traditionally used, but are not to be used for the LBD patient:
  • chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
  • droperidol (Inapsine)
  • fluphenazine (generic only)
  • haloperidol (Haldol)
  • loxapine (Loxitane)
  • molindone (Moban)
  • perphenazine (generic only)
  • pimozide (Orap)
  • thioridazine (generic only)
  • thiothixene (Navane)
  • trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
  • - See more at: lbda.org

    The following is a list of Atypical Antipsychotics that could be helpful if used conservatively:
  • aripiprazole (Abilify)
  • clozapine (Clozaril)
  • fluoxetine & olanzapine (Symbyax)
  • iloperidone (Fanapt)
  • olanzapine (Zyprexa)
  • paliperidone (Invega)
  • quetiapine (Seroquel)
  • risperidone (Risperdal)
  • ziprasidone (Geodon)
  • - See more at: lbda.org 
     
    The following is a list of medications used in treating LBD as of 04/2014.

    Purpose                                                     Brand Name                    Generic Name

    Balance Restoration                                Goedon                             Ziprasidone

    Hallucinations, apathy, mumbled
    speech                                                       Seroquel                           Quetiapine
                                                                      Zyprexa                            Olanzapine

    Increase Serotonin                                   Celexa                            Citalopram                      

    Depression and Anxiety                          Lexapro                           Escitalpopram
                                                                      Prozac                             Fluoxetine
                                                                      Zoloft                               Sertraline

    Increase GABA#                                     Ambien                             Zolpidem

    REM Disorder, Insomnia                        Klonopin                           Conazepam
                                                                      Restoril                              Temazepam
                                                                      OTC Melatonin

    Absolutely NO HALDOL!!!!!


    Increase Acetylcholine                             Aricept                               Donepezil

    Enhance thinking and memory-                Exelon                                 Rivastigmine
    manage visual hallucinations                     Razadyne                            Glantamine

    Increase Dopamine                                 Sinemet                                Carbidopa/Levodopa

    Anxiety, insomnia, and sometimes            Mirapex*                             Pramipexole*
    painful movement

    Helps with slower processing and             Neupro*                              Rotigone*
    impaired attention                                      Requip*                               Ropiniole*

    Increase Dopamine/Epinephrine/              Provigil                                Modafinil
    Histamine

    Daytime Sleepiness                                  Nuvigil                                  Armodafinil
                                                                       Ritalin                                    Mythylphenidate
                                                                      Adderall                                Dextroamphetmine/amphetamine

    *= Prone to Side Affects

    #GABA:  Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid is an amino acid which works as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.  It inhibits nerve transmission in the brain, calming nervous activity.     It is commonly sold as a natural tranquilizer.      

    While the list may seem a bit dated, it still holds.  For those with a Side Affect, please either look them up or consult with your physician.  Be sure your medical team knows and understands the differences between the types of dementias.  Remember, they hold a life in their hands - this is not to be taken lightly!  If you must find another doctor, be sure to ask when calling if they understand LBD and proscribed treatments.  If they need to think, find another doctor.  It took me a bit to figure out where to turn but the stars were in our favor.

                          

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