Lewy Body Dementia
Treatments
Because there is no cure for Lewy body dementia, doctors try to treat and manage symptoms of the disease. Medications used to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease have been effective in some patients but must be closely monitored because patients with Lewy body dementia tend to be highly sensitive to drugs that affect the brain and can experience adverse side effects.
Medicatiions are usually initially administered at a low dose and slowly increased over time.
Tranquilizers and anti-psychotic drugs such as haloperidol or thioridazine, are sometimes used to help lessen symptoms such as agitation or hallucinations.
Patients have been especially responsive to cholinesterase inhibitors, used to treat Alzheimer's, to improve memory and cognition and reduce hallucinations.
The drug Levodopa or other Parkinson's disease medications may be given to treat the Parkinson's disease-like symptoms, to improve muscle stiffness and improve walking.
UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.
