Select one of the following neurological disorders: headaches, seizure disorders, sleep
disorders, depression, or dementia. Consider the types of drugs that would be prescribed to
patients to treat symptoms associated with this disorder
- Select one of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on
how this factor might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you
might take to help reduce negative side effects. - Write a description of the neurological disorder you selected including types of drugs that
would be prescribed to patients to treat associated symptoms. Then, explain how the factor
you selected might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you
might take to help reduce negative side effects.
Pharmacotherapy for Neurological Disorders
Dementia refers to mental functions’ loss including reasoning, memory, and thinking to
an extent that the individual’s daily functioning is interfered. In itself, dementia is not classified
as a disease. Instead, it is a group of symptoms, which results from various conditions. The
symptoms might also include personality, behavior, and mood changes.
Some of the drugs prescribed to treat the symptoms associated with dementia include
cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon, and Razadyne) that work by increasing the chemical
messengers’ levels involved in judgment and memory (Knopman, 2011). Mementine functions
by regulating glutamate activity. Glutamate is a chemical messenger that is concerned in brain
functions including memory and learning. Combining cholinesterase inhibitor with memantine
has beneficial impacts (Knopman, 2011). In addition to this, some medications help in
controlling behavior challenges that result from confusion, increased impulsivity, and judgment
loss. Some of these medications include mood stabilizers (citalopram, imipramine, and
fluoxetine), antipsychotics (olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol), and stimulants
(methylphenidate).
PHARMACOTHERAPY FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS 2
Age is one of the risk factors of dementia. Age affects the impact of the prescribed drugs
in that as a person ages, the medicine affects him more. Considering that the elderly have a
tendency of being prescribed at least five medications, taking some medications together actually
causes symptoms that are similar to dementia (Knopman, 2011).
Some of the measures for minimizing negative side effects of dementia drugs because of
age include making sure that the healthcare professional is aware of the medications that the
patient is taking (Knopman, 2011). This should include all the over-the-counter and prescription
medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbs. This ensures that any interactions are avoided.
PHARMACOTHERAPY FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS 3
Reference
Knopman, D. S. (2011). Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders
Elsevier.