Pharm II Final Exam
what is the main medication class used to treat dementia ANS: cholinesterase inhibitors
examples of drugs used for dementia and their drug class ANS: Donepezil (Aricept) - cholinesterase
inhibitor
Memantine (Namenda) - NMDA receptor antagonist
Lecanemab (Leqembi) - anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody
Donanemab (Kisunla) - anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody
examples of cholinesterase inhibitors ANS: Donepezil (Aricept)
Rivastigmine (Exelon) - transdermal patch
Galantamine (Razadyne)
cholinesterase inhibitors MOA ANS: - causes reversible inhibition of cholinesterase
--> prevents breakdown of ach
--> raises ach concentrations in the brain
* boosting levels of cell-to-cell communication
how do cholinesterase inhibitors help in treating memory loss ANS: stops the decline in memory for 6-12
months
,does NOT improve memory
after 12 months, memory starts to decline again
also can help with anxiety and depression
what happens if someone stops taking cholinesterase inhibitor ANS: memory will decline quickly back to
how it originally was...can happen within 1-2 weeks
aside from slowing the decline of memory, how else does donepezil (Aricept) treat dementia ANS: treats
behavioral, psychological, and cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia
donepezil (Aricept) routes of administration ANS: PO
transdermal patch - changed weekly
how long to notice improvements in memory or behavior with donepezil (Aricept) ANS: up to 6 weeks
what can you do if patient is continuing to worsen when taking donepezil (Aricept) ANS: increase dose
donepezil (Aricept) side effects ANS: GI upset
vivid dreams and insomnia
donepezil (Aricept) overdose signs/symptoms ANS: nausea/vomiting
,excess salivation
hypotension
bradycardia
collapse
convulsions
muscle weakness
memantine (Namenda) is approved for... ANS: moderate or severe memory impairment
should you start with the immediate or extended release when prescribing memantine (Namenda)?
ANS: immediate
when to time memantine (Namenda) with meals ANS: you don't have too...absorption is not affected by
food
when does memantine (Namenda) lose its effectiveness ANS: after 6 months
memantine (Namenda) side effects ANS: dizziness
confusion
, ** rare
How is lecanemab (Leqembi) administered? ANS: IV infusion every 2 weeks
lecanemab (Leqembi) MOA ANS: anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody
lecanemab (Leqembi) side effects ANS: fever
flu-like symptoms
nausea/vomiting
dizziness
changes in HR
trouble breathing
how is donanemab (Kisunla) administered ANS: IV infusion every 4 weeks
donanemab (Kisunla) MOA ANS: anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody
donanemab (Kisunla) side effects ANS: flu-like symptoms
what is the main medication class used to treat dementia ANS: cholinesterase inhibitors
examples of drugs used for dementia and their drug class ANS: Donepezil (Aricept) - cholinesterase
inhibitor
Memantine (Namenda) - NMDA receptor antagonist
Lecanemab (Leqembi) - anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody
Donanemab (Kisunla) - anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody
examples of cholinesterase inhibitors ANS: Donepezil (Aricept)
Rivastigmine (Exelon) - transdermal patch
Galantamine (Razadyne)
cholinesterase inhibitors MOA ANS: - causes reversible inhibition of cholinesterase
--> prevents breakdown of ach
--> raises ach concentrations in the brain
* boosting levels of cell-to-cell communication
how do cholinesterase inhibitors help in treating memory loss ANS: stops the decline in memory for 6-12
months
,does NOT improve memory
after 12 months, memory starts to decline again
also can help with anxiety and depression
what happens if someone stops taking cholinesterase inhibitor ANS: memory will decline quickly back to
how it originally was...can happen within 1-2 weeks
aside from slowing the decline of memory, how else does donepezil (Aricept) treat dementia ANS: treats
behavioral, psychological, and cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia
donepezil (Aricept) routes of administration ANS: PO
transdermal patch - changed weekly
how long to notice improvements in memory or behavior with donepezil (Aricept) ANS: up to 6 weeks
what can you do if patient is continuing to worsen when taking donepezil (Aricept) ANS: increase dose
donepezil (Aricept) side effects ANS: GI upset
vivid dreams and insomnia
donepezil (Aricept) overdose signs/symptoms ANS: nausea/vomiting
,excess salivation
hypotension
bradycardia
collapse
convulsions
muscle weakness
memantine (Namenda) is approved for... ANS: moderate or severe memory impairment
should you start with the immediate or extended release when prescribing memantine (Namenda)?
ANS: immediate
when to time memantine (Namenda) with meals ANS: you don't have too...absorption is not affected by
food
when does memantine (Namenda) lose its effectiveness ANS: after 6 months
memantine (Namenda) side effects ANS: dizziness
confusion
, ** rare
How is lecanemab (Leqembi) administered? ANS: IV infusion every 2 weeks
lecanemab (Leqembi) MOA ANS: anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody
lecanemab (Leqembi) side effects ANS: fever
flu-like symptoms
nausea/vomiting
dizziness
changes in HR
trouble breathing
how is donanemab (Kisunla) administered ANS: IV infusion every 4 weeks
donanemab (Kisunla) MOA ANS: anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody
donanemab (Kisunla) side effects ANS: flu-like symptoms
