Aricept and Namenda are two separate classes of drugs approved to treat moderate to severe symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Neither Aricept nor Namenda are a cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, alone or in combination, Aricept and Namenda may help delay or lessen symptoms associated with Alzheimer's for a short period, says Susan Molchan, M.D., of the National Institute on Aging. The benefits of Alzheimer's medications are limited, but manufacturers point out that a lack of further decline--or appearance of new symptoms--may mean Aricept or Namenda, or a combination of the two, is working.
Aricept Side Effects
Donepezil--brand name Aricept--inhibits the breakdown and stimulates the release of acetylcholine, a brain chemical necessary for cellular communication. Of the four approved drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors, only Aricept is approved to treat symptoms of severe Alzheimer's disease. According to MayoClinic.com, Aricept is the most frequently prescribed medication for Alzheimer's disease and the least likely to cause serious side effects. Common side affects of Aricept may include nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and vomiting.
Namenda Side Effects
Memantine hydrochloride--brand name Namenda--blocks the function of glutamate, a neurotransmitter associated with learning and memory in the brain. Dizziness is the most common side effect of Namenda, although confusion, constipation, headache, sleepiness and vomiting may also occur. There are 153 drugs known to interact with Namenda, according to Drugs.com. Most interactions are mild. However, trihexyphenidyl--brand name Artane--a drug approved to treat Parkinson's disease and muscle tension symptoms caused by antipsychotic medications, is the only medication known to cause moderate side effects.
Namenda and Aricept Side Effects in Combination
Limited evidence suggests a combination therapy of Namenda and Aricept may improve cognition in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Because Aricept and Namenda address different neural processes, some physicians theorize that a combination of both drugs may provide the best chance of delaying progression of the disease. At least 5 percent of patients who added Namenda to their Aricept dosage experienced an 8 percent increase in confusion, according to the Forest Pharmaceuticals website. Slight increases in headache, agitation, dizziness, nausea and flu-like symptoms were also reported.
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