DRUGS FOR ALZHEIMER'S DEMENTIA
 
Generic Brand Formulations/Strengths Usual Regimen*
CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS
Donepezil Aricept

Tabs: 5mg, 10mg, 23mg

ODT: 5mg, 10mg

Mild-moderate: Initially 5mg daily at bedtime, may increase to 10mg daily after 4–6 weeks

Moderate-severe: Initially 10mg daily at bedtime, may increase to 23mg daily after 3 months

Galantamine Razadyne

Tabs: 4mg, 8mg, 12mg

Soln: 4mg/mL

Initial: 4mg twice daily

Maintenance: If well-tolerated may increase by 4mg twice daily at intervals of ≥4 weeks; max 12mg twice daily (24mg/day)

Galantamine ER Razadyne ER Caps: 8mg, 16mg, 24mg

Initial: 8mg once daily in AM

Maintenance: If well-tolerated may increase by 8mg/day at intervals of ≥4 weeks; max 24mg/day

Rivastigmine Exelon

Caps: 1.5mg, 3mg, 4.5mg, 6mg

Soln: 2mg/mL

Patches: 4.6mg/24hours, 9.5mg/24hours

Caps or soln: Initially 1.5mg twice daily; may increase by 1.5mg twice daily at intervals of ≥2 weeks; usual range: 6–12mg/day; max 12mg/day

Patch: Initially apply one 4.6mg/24hrs patch once daily; if tolerated may increase to 9.5mg/24hrs patch after 4 weeks

Tacrine Cognex

Caps: 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg

Initial: 10mg 4 times daily

Maintenance: If no transaminase elevations and tolerated, increase by 40mg/day in divided doses at ≥4 week intervals to max 160mg/day

N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST
Memantine Namenda

Tabs: 5mg, 10mg

Soln: 2mg/mL

Initial: 5mg once daily

Maintenance: Titrate at intervals of at least 1 week to 5mg twice daily, then to 5mg and 10mg as separate doses, then to 10mg twice daily

Memantine XR Namenda XR

Caps: 7mg, 14mg, 21mg, 28mg

Initial: 7mg once daily

Maintenance: Titrate at intervals of at least 1 week in increments of 7mg once daily to target dose of 28mg once daily

NOTES

Caps = capsules; Tabs = tablets; ODT = orally-disintegrating tablets; Soln = solution
*For additional dosing information, including renal and hepatic impairment, titration and maximum recommended dose, see product labeling.

(Rev. 10/2010)