A few years back mom was on aricept and it helped keep her steady. About 6 months later the dr. put her on namendia also and we really saw improvement, however that was shortlived as about the 3rd month in she started having ****** stools and since her mother had colon cancer her dr. agreed to a colonascopy. To make a long story short she had ulcerative colitis. At this point mom was already giving me a time with her meds. (9 pills a day that were just medicine) I thought I had seen it all with my kids not taking meds. Anyways the course to treat the colitis was 4 more pills.
Anyways we ended up going off all meds. I spent a few hours researching food and we fixed that by diet. After a little more research by her dr and I we discovered that one side effect was the ulcerative coliitis from the use of the namendia and aricept together.
Her dr. and I discussed this and she has stayed off, in the long run I really feel that she may have benefitted hugely had her body allowed her to useboth drugs.
I wouldn't hesitate to try a drug again with her.....in those earlier stages.....I just know now that I keep on top of the physical side effects.
I hope the aricept helps your AD patient.
