Aricept not helping. What do I do?

Aricept reaches peak plasma concentration 3-4 hours after taking it. If you are seeing the paranoia at this point, you might be better off with extended release Aricept XR or by making sure she takes it food to slow down the uptake. Keep notes of how long after taking the med she seems affected and share that with the MD.

Nothing will "cure" ALZ,, all we can do is hope to slow it down. Namenda helped my father with his anxiety,, added to the Aricept. Good luck with this!

I would agree to talk to the Doc. My Doc said that Aricept only "helps" 2 out of 5 people and at a certain point, Docs recommend dropping the med. But, we as caregivers, get the front row view of the affects and have to pay close attention to reactions etc. It's pretty hard, it's like a crazy roller-coaster.

Aricept is meant to slow the progression of alzheimer's, it does not reverse the damage already done or treat the paranoia or other symptoms of dementia. As cmagnum says, talk to the doctor. There are other medications that may help her.

Contact her doctor and let them know what is going on.