Aricept

[Clare 11]

Hi, I have not posted for awhile. I was wondering if you could give me some information on Aricept. I have been told that this is a benefit to people with Dementia. I spoke to my husband's doctor about it yesterday and the doc said that he didn't know if this would be any good for the type of dementia my husband has (Vascular). He said that he needed to have a blood test to see if Aricept would be any good for him. Can anyone shed some light on why the blood test is necessary. Thank you.

[Nanak]

Hi Clare
I'm not sure why a blood test is necessary
My Mum was given Aricept but she was too far advanced when diagnosed so we don't think it has done her any good. You only know if the drug is working when the patient stops taking it and reverts back to the stage they would have been at had they not been on it.
Sorry not to have been any help but someone will be along shortly with some advice I'm sure.
Nanak
missing what has gone and scared of what is to come

[Mun]

Hi Clare,
My dad has VasD & has been on Aricept 5mg from diagnosis.I'm by no means an expert on it,but when he is seen @ the memory clinic,the nurse records an ECG(heart tracing),checks his blood pressure,etc because they said it can cause the heart rate to slow down
I don't know if that side effect is transient & it stabilises,my dad does seem ok in that respect from taking it.Blood tests are taken as well,what for I can never seem to find out,it's like the Secret Service ! (and I'm an ex-nurse!!)
What I would finally add & many other TP contributors have also said this,is that I will never know if dad's dementia has been helped by the Aricept or not.
Hope this is of some use to you.
Take care
Val x

[Izzy]

My husband was on Aricept but he has Alzheimer's. My mum had vascular dementia and wasn't given any drug like Aricept as we were told they wouldn't benefit a vascular dementia sufferer.

[Mun]

The more I read carers experiences (& I know this statement is obvious !),but there doesn't seem to be any consistency in the management of people with dementia.In different areas of the country,treatments seem to differ greatly.
Val x

[jeany123]

My husband has vascular dementia and we were told no medication would help .

[Contrary Mary]

Same with my Mum, I'm afraid. The MRI scan was said to show vascular dementia and she wasn't given any dementia drugs.

[Clare 11]

Thank you all for your replies. May be this is the docs easy way of letting us down without saying straight out that there is no help.

[jenniferpa]

The position in the UK (but not in other countries) is that drugs like aricept are not appropriate for people with pure vascular dementia. If you have mixed dementia you may be given but not otherwise.

I'm wondering if the blood test is to ensure she doesn't have any health issues that might be affected by aricept.