Treatment Your Loved One Can Tolerate

One concern you may have about combination therapy is side effects. Fortunately, combination therapy with Namenda^® (memantine HCl)^* + Aricept^® (donepezil)^** is proven to be safe and well tolerated.^1,2 For instance, clinical trial results show patients taking combination therapy experience fewer gastrointestinal side effects (diarrhea and nausea) than patients taking Aricept alone.²

As with any medication, combination therapy may cause some side effects in some patients. According to a clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the most common side effects reported in patients taking Namenda+Aricept^*** were confusion^† and headache.^2****

^†In clinical trials, some people with Alzheimer's disease experienced a temporary period of confusion when taking Namenda.² If confusion is experienced, talk with the doctor about possibly adjusting the dose.

It's important to tell your doctor what prescription or over-the-counter medications (including herbal remedies and nutritional supplements) the person you are caring for is taking before he or she starts combination therapy. To receive a personalized Doctor Discussion Guide with helpful tips on talking with your doctor, sign up now for the Combination Care for Alzheimer's Program.

Is combination therapy covered by insurance?

Both Namenda and Aricept are covered by the majority of private health insurance plans and Medicare Part D plans^4,5 — the federal prescription drug benefit for people 65 and older.