Medications

These are some of the most commonly used drugs in Pick disease.

• Cholinesterase inhibitors - Donepezil (Aricept) (may worsen agitation and aggression), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine/galanthamine (Reminyl). These drugs have in effect replaced an older drug called tacrine (Cognex).
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• Antidepressants/anxiolytics - Mirtazapine (Remeron), venlafaxine (Effexor), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa),
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• Antipsychotics - Haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), olanzapine (Zyprexa)

All drugs cause side effects. The aim in prescribing a drug is that the benefits of the drug outweigh the side effects. People with dementia who are taking any of these drugs must be checked often to make sure that if side effects occur, they are tolerated and do not cause serious problems.

These drugs may interact with each other or with other drugs. This is especially important in middle-aged and older people, who may take several different drugs for various medical disorders. Side effects may be due not to one specific drug, but to combinations of drugs.