Prescription Drugs:Alternative Uses, Alternative Cures Over 1,500 New Uses for Fda-approved Drugs

BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease, a neurological condition that affects an estimated four million people nationwide, results in the death of nerve cells in the brain. Symptom onset begins gradually, often as mild forgetfulness, and may be falsely attributed to normal aging. As the disease progresses cognitive abilities decrease, people are unable to make decisions or perform everyday tasks, and some patients may undergo personality changes. In its later stages, Alzheimer's disease causes dementia and ultimately death. Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs:Donepezil, Galantamine, Memantine, Rivastigmine, Tacrine OFF-LABEL PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BREAKTHROUGH OPTIONS Generic:Aripiprazole(ay-ri-PIP-ray-zole)Brand:Abilify Aripiprazole belongs to the class of drugs known as antipsychotics and is used mainly for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It works to control psychotic symptoms by regulating two key brain chemicals associated with emotional health, serotonin and dopamine. By interacting with these brain chemicals, aripiprazole adjusts and restores balance to the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. There is evidence that aripiprazole may be useful in treating Alzheimer's patients who exhibit psychotic symptoms. A 10-week study of 208 patients with Alzheimer's disease-associated psychosis inJournal of Clinical Psychopharmacologycompared the safety, effectiveness, and tolerability of aripiprazole versus placebo. The aripiprazole group showed significant reduction in psychosis symptoms, suggesting that this drug is safe and well tolerated. For more information see page 1025. Generic:Atorvastatin(a-TORE-va-stat-in)Brand:Lipitor Atorvastatin belongs to the class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, more commonly known as statins. It is used to lower cholesterol, primarily LDL cholesterol or "bad" cholesterol, which is responsible for the development of arterial plaque leading to a heart attack or stroke. Unlike other statins, atorvastatin can also reduce fat levels, another risk factor for heart disease. Statins prevent the liver from producing cholesterol by blocking the cholesterol production enzyme. Laboratory evidence shows that the cholesterol-induced production of a neurotoxin may precipitate Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, by reducing the production of cholesterol by using a cholesterol-lowering statin, the production of this neurotoxin may also decrease, potentially slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. In a clinical trial, patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease received atorvastatin calcium or placebo. The study found that reducing the circulation cholesterol levels improved measurements of Alzheimer's disease compared with placebo. However, these data, while encouraging, were not deemed statistically significant. Researchers believe the results of the study are promising, but additional clinical trials are needed to establish further the role of atorvastatin in treating Alzheimer's. For more information see page 1030. Generic:Buspirone(byoo-SPYE-rone)Brand:BuSpar Buspirone is an antianxiety medication used to treat anxiety disorders or short-term symptoms of anxiety. It works by stimulating nerve cells and altering neurochemically transmitted messaging. Unlike the more commonly prescribed antianxiety medications in the benzodiazepine class, you will not feel the effects of this therapy until after two or more weeks of treatment. In Alzheimer's disease, buspirone is thought to alleviate depression and psychosis that complicate dementia. Studies of its use in Alzheimer's disease are very limited, but in an evaluation of studies, approximately 40% ofLoughlin, Kevin is the author of 'Prescription Drugs:Alternative Uses, Alternative Cures Over 1,500 New Uses for Fda-approved Drugs', published 2007 under ISBN 9780743286718 and ISBN 0743286715.