4.11 DRUGS FOR DEMENTIA

Refer to latest NICE guidance, TAG217, March 2011 (updated May 2016). Only specialists should initiate treatment after formal

assessment including tests of cognitive, global and behavioural functioning and the likelihood of the patient to comply with

therapy. GPs may be asked to take over prescribing once an appropriate maintenance dose has been reached and the patient has

been demonstrated to benefit from therapy. Patients continuing on treatment should be assessed every six months in secondary

care.

AMBER Generic Donepezil (1st line use)

tablets and orodispersible tablets 5mg, 10mg

NB Orodispersible tablets should be reserved for use in those with swallowing difficulties only.

(Dispersible tablets are more cost effective compared to liquid preparations)

AMBER Galantamine modified release tablets 8mg, 16mg, 24mg

Preferred formulary choices are Gatalin® XL tablets, Luventa® XL tablets

(Prescribe by brand)

(Please note standard release tablets or liquid preparations are not approved for use in EL & BwD CCG and should not be prescribed in

Primary Care)

AMBER Rivastigmine

capsules 1.5mg, 3mg, 4.5mg

solution 10mg/5mL

patches 4.6mg/24 hours, 9.5mg/24 hours

NB patches should be reserved for those patients who are unable to tolerate or swallow an AChEI.

AMBER Memantine (3rd lne choice)

tablets 10mg, 20mg

oral solution 10mg/mL

orodispersible tablets 10mg, 20mg

A prescribing information sheet for these drugs can be found here

All material in this section is aimed at health care professionals, but is information currently held in the public domain, members of the

public seeking advice on medicine-related matters are advised to speak with their GP, pharmacist, nurse or contact NHS111 Service.

Email: info.elmmb@nhs.net