It is my understanding that it when to use it and I would say after diagnosis from a neurologist. My husband was started after diagnosis of Alzheimer's by his neurologist.

Every one is different and thank you for positive feedback for Namenda

As have stated before, hubby has been on Donepezil and Namenda since officially diagnosed nearly 6 yrs ago. We knew prob 2 yrs. prior he was having problems. I still believe and so does our family, without him being started on these 2 drugs early he would probably be more progressed. Has never had a problem with them.

@A myALZteam Member My wife (ALZ diagnosis 2 yrs ago) and I live in France. In this country health officials and the state health insurance cancelled reimbursement about 7 years ago because they had decided that averse effects did not compensate for any cognitive gain. I believe if it is prescribed at all, it is mostly in the early stages. Our very experienced family doctor's opinion is negative about it and our neurologist as well. My wife takes instead Memantine (= Namenda). I think it is very hard to decide if progression of ALZ is fast or slow. In my team there are many discussions about this issue. Sometimes one feels a new page has been turned, but then there is also sudden improvement possible. Without much other evidence, I tend to believe that an experienced family doctor should be taken serious. So my answer to your question is that our doctors, in my wife's case, would not think of giving her Donepezil. I don't know where you read that "Donepezil Should Not Be Given For The Early Stages Of Dementia" (I had heard just the opposite). Be careful to find out where such statements come from and when they were made. For example, we have a popular book from about 2000 about ALZ in French, co-written by a doctor, which is very positive about the benefits of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (Donepezil is one of these medications). But later research is much more cautious. On the other hand, the management of the behaviour of ALZ patients can benefit from "atypical antipsychotics", but these are not a cure, and neither is Donepezil. In all cases do your own research as best as you can, and keep asking questions on this forum.

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A myALZte...

Judy2, My hubby was given this med along with Namenda when first diagnosed at early stage nearly 6 yrs ago. Without it being given to him so early I believe he would have progressed faster.