Goals for treating symptoms

Alzheimer's disease gradually damages and destroys nerve cells in the brain. This results in a decline in memory, reasoning and other thinking skills. Medicines that treat symptoms do not stop the loss of nerve cells. Instead, they're designed to help healthy nerve cells work as well as possible even though cells will continue to be lost.

The goal is to slow down the decline in thinking skills, so a person with Alzheimer's can experience a better quality of life. Studies have shown that these medicines may help manage symptoms, but the effect is modest.

It may be very hard for a person with Alzheimer's disease or their caregivers to know if the medicine is helping — in part because it's also very hard to know how symptoms might change without the treatment. At some point in the course of the disease, these medicines will not be effective.

It's important to work with your healthcare team to review symptoms regularly and change the treatment plan as needed. Continue taking medicine as directed. Your healthcare professional can advise you and caregivers about when to change or stop taking a medicine.

If you do stop taking Alzheimer's disease medicine, tell your healthcare professional about any changes in symptoms.