[Memantine as add-on medication to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor therapy for Alzheimer dementia].
Currently available data indicate superior therapeutic effects of combination treatment for Alzheimer dementia with memantine and acetylcholine esterase inhibitors in certain clinical contexts. Out of five randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials two showed superior therapeutic effects in comparison to monotherapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors regarding various domains. Recently published meta-analyses and cost-benefit analyses also showed positive results. Recently published German guidelines for dementia treatment also take these new data into account and recommend combination treatment in patients with severe dementia on stable donepezil medication. This article gives an overview of current evidence for combination therapy.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland. robert.haussmann@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
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Haussmann
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland.
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Donix
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000592:standards; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000592:standards; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D008559:Memantine
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; Add-on treatment; Alzheimer’s disease; Memantine; Pharmacotherapy