Alzheimer News:

Study: Treating Dementia Patients Longer With Reminyl Keeps More at Home

Dementia patients receiving long-term treatment with Reminyl® (galantamine) may be able to stay at home for longer compared to those receiving the drug for shorter periods of time, according to a study presented November 9 at the European Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology in Stockholm, Sweden.

Reminyl is approved for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in 66 countries, including the United States.

The study involved 596 patients from seven European countries who lived at home. Three years after entering the study, 92.5 % of patients who had received continuous treatment with Reminyl were still at home compared to 65% of patients treated for 24 to 36 months, 48% of patients treated for 12 to 24 months and 54% of patients treated for 12 months or less.

The researchers noted that long-term treatment with Reminyl was associated with a 27% relative risk reduction for institutionalization for each additional year of treatment.

"For many patients with Alzheimer's disease and their families, postponing admission to a residential or nursing home for as long as possible is very important,” said lead researcher Tuula Pirttilä, a professor of neurology at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland.

Pirttilä said the findings suggest that long-term treatment with Reminyl may significantly delay the need for residential or nursing home care, prolonging independence and the time patients can spend at home with their families.

Source: Medical Week staff, week of November 13, 2004