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Suggest Treatment For Dementia
Posted on
Fri, 17 Apr 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 17 Apr 2015
Answered on
Thu, 7 May 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : situation -- 89 year old wife has dementia- in the evenies and sometimes earlier thoughts wander
DR. Prescribed one tablet twice a day -5mg. I cut the dosage to 1/2 pill at bedtime. This am. she could
not stand up -no walking at all. She is presently in bed
DR. Prescribed one tablet twice a day -5mg. I cut the dosage to 1/2 pill at bedtime. This am. she could
not stand up -no walking at all. She is presently in bed
Brief Answer:
Medication is apparently far too strong for her
Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon. My name is Dr. Saghafi and I am a neurologist. I would like to comment on your wife's situation. My initial impression from the brief introductory information is that whatever the medication was that you were is simply too much for her system to take.
Now, having said that I don't know if it is the medication itself the doctor prescribed of 5 mg. (for which you cut it in half) and even gave her only 1 dose as opposed to directions which are apparently twice daily. Or could it be the interaction of that particular pill with the Namenda and/or Alprazolam that is knocking her down?
Can you tell me what the name of the new medication is and whether or not she was at all very fatigued or lethargic BEFORE starting this drug?
Again, drugs in 89 year old demented women can be very very tricky to administer since what is perceived to be the normal dose for the condition per manufacturer's or even FDA labeling can affect people so variably that it's very unpredictable as to the outcome in any individual until you've actually given the patient their dose.
I would definitely advise that you call her doctor and ask for his opinion on what to do next although I wouldn't be surprised if he tells you to suspend that drug altogether. That is something I would consider doing if this were my patient.
If this answer satisfactorily addresses your question then, I'd appreciate the favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback on your part.
Also, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end (if there are no further comments) will be most helpful and appreciated so that this question can be transacted and archived expeditiously for further reference by colleagues as necessary.
Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your wife's situation by looking me up at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
All the best
The query has required a total of 14 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
Medication is apparently far too strong for her
Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon. My name is Dr. Saghafi and I am a neurologist. I would like to comment on your wife's situation. My initial impression from the brief introductory information is that whatever the medication was that you were is simply too much for her system to take.
Now, having said that I don't know if it is the medication itself the doctor prescribed of 5 mg. (for which you cut it in half) and even gave her only 1 dose as opposed to directions which are apparently twice daily. Or could it be the interaction of that particular pill with the Namenda and/or Alprazolam that is knocking her down?
Can you tell me what the name of the new medication is and whether or not she was at all very fatigued or lethargic BEFORE starting this drug?
Again, drugs in 89 year old demented women can be very very tricky to administer since what is perceived to be the normal dose for the condition per manufacturer's or even FDA labeling can affect people so variably that it's very unpredictable as to the outcome in any individual until you've actually given the patient their dose.
I would definitely advise that you call her doctor and ask for his opinion on what to do next although I wouldn't be surprised if he tells you to suspend that drug altogether. That is something I would consider doing if this were my patient.
If this answer satisfactorily addresses your question then, I'd appreciate the favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback on your part.
Also, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end (if there are no further comments) will be most helpful and appreciated so that this question can be transacted and archived expeditiously for further reference by colleagues as necessary.
Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your wife's situation by looking me up at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
All the best
The query has required a total of 14 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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