Page 212 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

Page 201

min E, it may be more useful in long-term prevention than it is in treating people who already have
memory loss. The recommended dose for this prescription medication is 5 to 15 mg daily.

Why Other Medications Did Not Make the Cut

The cholinergic compounds lecithin and Alcar just missed the cut because the data are much weaker
than for Aricept (or Exelon or Reminyl). DHEA (discussed in the next chapter) is not on my list, not
only because its efficacy against memory loss has not been established, but also because it is more
toxic than the medications that are on the list. The data on hydergine and the nootropics do not
suggest sufficient action against memory loss. The COX-II inhibitors did not make it to the list
either, mainly because they have just been released and we have no information on their use against
memory loss. Ongoing and future clinical studies may demonstrate significant antimemory-loss
properties for the COX-II inhibitors, in which case Celebrex or Vioxx might well vault to the top of
the list.

The FDA Has Yet to Approve Any Medication for Mild-Memory Loss

Note that none of the prescription medications are approved by the FDA for age-related or mild
memory loss, so not all physicians will be willing to prescribe them. However, many neurologists
and psychiatrists are prescribing one or more of these medications (off-label) for these purposes.

Long-Term Efficacy Data Are Lacking, But Safety Data Do Exist

Although I have emphasized that we do not have data about any medications on long-term
prevention of memory loss, we do have safety data on long-term use for many of these medications.
The vitamins can be taken on a daily basis for years, and so can estrogen in women, provided there is
gynecological monitoring. Aricept has been prescribed for several years of continuous usage without
major adverse events in Alzheimer's patients, and selegiline has been taken by many Parkinson's
patients continuously for several years to decades. Ginkgo