Aricept side-effects - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

Mila · 06-24-2001, 10:09 AM

My elderly mother who suffers from dementia is currently taking Aricept. It has helped some but lately she has been experiencing horrible nightmares. Her pharamcist seems to think they are caused by the Aricept. Her physician says probably not. Have any of you had this problem, and how did you deal with it? I would like to leave the Aricept off for a few days but I'm afraid she would get worse. Do you have any suggestions of another drug to try that doesn't have this side-effect? Thanks for ANY help.

gizmolove · 06-27-2001, 09:04 PM

When my mother was living with me she was on Medicaid. I called Elder Services and they sent in Mental Health who sent a Physiatrist out to the house. He prescribed some drugs for her and she also was sent home with drugs from the local hospital (Geri/Phyc Ward). Thru Community Mental Health and Medicare, they sent out their team of pharmacological nurses with sheets of information on the drugs that she was on , their side effects and the effect when mixed with other drugs. (What can go with what and what can not). The information was though and complete. Everyone should have those drug sheets and what the drugs do and especially what they do when mixed with each other. I would call your local community mental health service. Ask where you can get some med's sheets with the appropriate information. They are indispensable. Also, it is important for you to keep in mind that the drug companies tell the doctors about the drugs and their effects, but those effects are almost always on people of average age. Most doctors are not in tune as to the effects on older patients. On seniors the drugs can have different effects and side effects. Some doctors will just keep prescribing drugs for the various side effects of the previous drugs that they prescribed...and on and on..so it's vital for you to know if the head aches are a new symptom or just another side effect. One requires a new drug while the other just requires a decrease in the current medication. With drugs for elder care 3 things are of the utmost importance.

Knowledge of the drug and their side effects,

Knowledge of drugs mixed together.

Knowledge that drugs effect Seniors differently.

Proper notes on the med's are vital and good communication with doctor and pharmacist is imperative. I'm sorry that I can not be of specific help to you.
But, I do understand that there are at least 2 other drugs that are commonly used for the same symptons You may ask the doctor to change. They may
not have the same effect as the anticept. (If that's what's causing the problem)

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Gizmo

Mila · 06-27-2001, 10:04 PM

Gizmo, My sincere thanks for this information. I have never thought of going this route. I will definately be getting in touch with Elder Services tomorrow, and hopefully get help for my mother. Again, thank you very much.

SciTeach · 08-06-2001, 05:46 PM

My mom takes Aricept. Several months ago the Dr increased her dosage. At that time she began complaining of nightmares.

Eventually, with Dr consent, we changed the TIME she took the Aricept from night time to morning. That seems to have helped a great deal.

She had gotten to the point where she didn't want to go to sleep for fear of the dreams. She hasn't mentioned nightmares since we changed the time of day she takes it.

Hope this helps.

Nancy