What is Combination Therapy?

What is combination therapy?

There are two types of medications that help treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate pathway modifiers. NAMENDA is the only glutamate pathway modifier and it works differently than acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, like ARICEPT.

NAMENDA and ARICEPT work in different ways and taking them together may be helpful—this is called combination therapy. A study showed combination therapy with NAMENDA and ARICEPT* (donepezil HCl 5-10 mg) slowed the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. There is no evidence that NAMENDA or donepezil prevents or slows the underlying disease process in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

What are the benefits of combination therapy?

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that patients taking NAMENDA and ARICEPT (donepezil HCI 5 – 10 mg) performed significantly better on measures of cognition and function.

The study found that at 24 weeks people taking combination therapy with NAMENDA and ARICEPT had:

• Improved and maintained thinking
• Benefits in the ability to perform activities of daily living
• Significant benefits in behavior

Once treatment is started, you may wonder how long it will take for the benefits of combination therapy with NAMENDA to have an effect. It's different for everyone.

Concerned about insurance costs?

If your loved one is already taking a medication for Alzheimer's disease and you're concerned about combination therapy being an added expense, NAMENDA is available on over 90% of private health insurance plans and Medicare Part D formularies.