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$Title{New Drug for Alzheimer's Disease}
$Subject{Drug Alzheimer Alzheimer's Disease tacarine Cognex FDA side effects 
nausea vomiting diarrhea abdominal pain liver toxicity Research medication 
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Copyright (c) 1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


New Drug for Alzheimer's Disease


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QUESTION:  My mother is in a nursing home with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's
Disease.  My brother read an article in his newspaper that there is a new drug
available to treat this disease that has been approved by the FDA, yet my own
pharmacist doesn't have any knowledge about it.  Can you help me find this new
miracle drug?  As a doctor, you know how important this is to our family.

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ANSWER:  The best help I can provide to you is to straighten out a few
details and misconceptions about the new medication.  It is called "tacarine"
and when it becomes obtainable, will be marketed by Parke-Davis under the name
"Cognex", but it is not available yet.  The report your brother must be
referring to was that an advisory panel of the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) endorsed its use.  But it is really not a miracle drug, for it does not
wipe away all the effects of Alzheimer's in all patients and restore them to
the person you once knew.  In fact, in many people the effect may only be
minimal, with only a few attaining a notable change.  The beneficial effects
seem to come at an elevated dosage, one which also can result in a large
number of side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
and even liver toxicity (in 20-30 percent of patients).
     Part of the decision to use the medication will depend upon you and your
family.  When the medication is available, there will be more information
about its use, its effects and side effects and its cost.  It may well be that
even a small improvement will be enough to make a difference in your mother's
condition, and that is something for all of you to consider.
     Research is still underway, with a number of other drugs still under
study or development.  And for the families of the more than 4 million
Americans who have Alzheimer's, the day when an effective medication becomes
available cannot arrive soon enough.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.