54 Questions
What is the primary use of donepezil?
Treating Alzheimer’s disease
Where does metabolism of donepezil take place?
Liver
What is the peak of action time for donepezil?
3 to 8 hours
How is absorption of donepezil affected by food?
It is unaffected by food
What does donepezil do to acetylcholine levels in the brain?
Increases them
What percentage of donepezil is bound to plasma proteins?
96%
For how long has long-term studies shown that donepezil delays the progression of Alzheimer’s disease?
Up to 55 weeks
In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, what other condition can donepezil be used to enhance memory?
Multiple sclerosis
What is the main route of excretion for donepezil and its metabolites?
Urine
What effect does donepezil have on the neuronal degradation in Alzheimer’s disease?
Slows it
Which age group is more susceptible to adverse drug effects due to age-related physiological changes and underlying health conditions?
Older adults
What can impair the hepatic metabolism of donepezil, leading to increased adverse effects?
Liver disease
In which population is donepezil used to reduce cognitive dysfunction, particularly in critically ill patients with delirium?
Critically ill patients
What is a common adverse effect of donepezil?
Breathing problems
What are the contraindications to donepezil?
Hypersensitivity to the drug, lung disease, and heart conditions
Which of the following can interact with donepezil, either increasing or decreasing its effects?
Cholinesterase inhibitors
When should nurses administer donepezil?
In the evening
What should nurses be cautious about regarding brand name confusion?
Confusion between donepezil (Aricept) and rabeprazole (AcipHex)
What should nurses assess for in patients receiving donepezil?
Therapeutic effects and adverse effects
What drug is similar to donepezil, indicated for mild to moderate dementia and vascular dementia?
Galantamine hydrobromide
What is the primary use of rivastigmine?
Treating mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
How long does oral rivastigmine last, allowing for dosing?
12 hours
Where does the metabolism of rivastigmine occur?
Liver
What is the primary use of memantine?
Slowing the progression of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease
How does memantine act to prevent nerve damage?
By blocking NMDA receptors
What is a contraindication for memantine?
Hypersensitivity reactions
How should the extended-release formulation of memantine be taken?
Swallowed whole
What should caregivers be vigilant for when administering memantine?
Changes in blood pressure, CNS effects, and signs of hypersensitivity reactions
What does memantine interact with, affecting its serum concentration?
Carbonic anhydrase
How is the transdermal form of rivastigmine administered?
As a patch once a day
What is the primary purpose of rivastigmine in treating Alzheimer's disease?
To slow the progression of symptoms
How long does the oral form of rivastigmine last, allowing for dosing twice a day?
12 hours
Where does rivastigmine's metabolism occur?
Liver
What is the mechanism of action of memantine in treating Alzheimer's disease?
Binding to the magnesium site to block excitatory function
What is a contraindication for memantine use?
Hypersensitivity reactions
How should the extended-release formulation of memantine be taken?
Swallowed whole
What should caregivers be vigilant for when administering memantine?
Changes in blood pressure
Which medication is also used to treat Parkinson's disease?
Rivastigmine
How does the transdermal form of rivastigmine differ from the oral form?
It is applied as a patch once a day
What is the excretion route of rivastigmine?
Feces
What is the primary use of donepezil?
Treating mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimer’s disease
How does donepezil affect acetylcholine levels in the brain?
Increases acetylcholine levels by inhibiting its metabolism
Where does metabolism of donepezil take place?
Liver
What should nurses assess for in patients receiving donepezil?
Allergy, orientation, and contraindications
What is a contraindication for using donepezil?
Lung disease
What is the primary use of galantamine hydrobromide in treating dementia?
Mild to moderate dementia and vascular dementia
How long does the peak action of extended-release memantine occur?
9 to 12 hours
What is the primary route of excretion for rivastigmine and its metabolites?
Urine
What is the primary mechanism of action of memantine in preventing nerve damage?
Binding to the magnesium site to block excitatory function
How long does oral rivastigmine last, allowing for dosing?
12 hours
What is the main route of excretion for rivastigmine and its metabolites?
Biliary excretion
What is the peak action time for memantine with extended-release formulation?
9 to 12 hours
What is the primary mechanism of action of memantine in treating Alzheimer's disease?
Blocking NMDA receptors
What is a contraindication for rivastigmine use?
Renal failure
Study Notes
Alzheimer's Disease Medications: Rivastigmine and Memantine
- Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
- It is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease but helps slow the progression of symptoms.
- Oral rivastigmine lasts 12 hours, allowing for twice-a-day dosing, while the transdermal form is applied as a patch once a day.
- Rivastigmine's metabolism occurs in the liver, and it is excreted in the feces.
- Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist used to slow the progression of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
- It is well absorbed orally, with 100% absorption in the GI tract, and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
- Memantine's peak action occurs 3 to 7 hours with immediate-release and 9 to 12 hours with extended-release formulation.
- Memantine acts by binding to the magnesium site to block excitatory function, slowing intracellular calcium accumulation and preventing nerve damage.
- Memantine is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity reactions or renal failure.
- It interacts with carbonic anhydrase, alkalinizing agents, and trimethoprim, affecting its serum concentration.
- Memantine should be administered without regard to meals, and the extended-release formulation should be swallowed whole.
- Caregivers need to be educated about memantine administration and be vigilant for adverse effects such as changes in blood pressure, CNS effects, and signs of hypersensitivity reactions.
Alzheimer's Disease Medications: Rivastigmine and Memantine
- Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
- It is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease but helps slow the progression of symptoms.
- Oral rivastigmine lasts 12 hours, allowing for twice-a-day dosing, while the transdermal form is applied as a patch once a day.
- Rivastigmine's metabolism occurs in the liver, and it is excreted in the feces.
- Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist used to slow the progression of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
- It is well absorbed orally, with 100% absorption in the GI tract, and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
- Memantine's peak action occurs 3 to 7 hours with immediate-release and 9 to 12 hours with extended-release formulation.
- Memantine acts by binding to the magnesium site to block excitatory function, slowing intracellular calcium accumulation and preventing nerve damage.
- Memantine is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity reactions or renal failure.
- It interacts with carbonic anhydrase, alkalinizing agents, and trimethoprim, affecting its serum concentration.
- Memantine should be administered without regard to meals, and the extended-release formulation should be swallowed whole.
- Caregivers need to be educated about memantine administration and be vigilant for adverse effects such as changes in blood pressure, CNS effects, and signs of hypersensitivity reactions.
Test your knowledge on Alzheimer's disease medications and their dosage information with this quiz. Explore the uses, adverse effects, contraindications, and administration guidelines for drugs like donepezil, rivastigmine, memantine, and galantamine hydrobromide. Ideal for nurses, caregivers, and healthcare professionals involved in the management of Alzheimer's disease.
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